It had been a week from hell. The quick onset of a mystery illness gave me quite a scare and had me in the hospital for 4 1/2 days last week. I had to cancel a family picnic on Daniel Island and a much anticipated trip to Daufuskie on Friday with the Facebook group Charleston History Before 1945. But — the following Saturday I was treated to 4 fabulous hours of pampering. It was the most phenomenal recovery that I have ever experienced. So what did I do? I floated.Yep, I went floating. Not the clubhouse or backyard pool type of floating where the sun is beating down on you and someone does a cannon ball and totally screws up your chi. No — I floated in a facility that offers floating as undisturbed ultimate relaxation. Glo Spa, Charleston's first and only float tank facility and — it's in our very own East Cooper neighborhood.
I was apprehensive at first. It sounded kind of gimmicky so I Googled it. Sensory deprivation floating tanks are actually not a new concept at all. The flotation tank was developed in 1954 by John C. Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuro-psychiatrist. During his training in psychoanalysis at the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Lilly commenced experiments with sensory deprivation and neurophysiology.
The appeal to me was simple. I am a floater, part mermaid you see. My fascination with tub buoyancy started with my first (by myself, without brother or sister) bath. It was an old claw foot tub. I filled it to the rim and let it swallow me up. Floating. The only sound was my heartbeat and the occasional drip from the old faucet. Everything went away and I became semi-weightless. However, something always intervened, bringing this nirvana to a screeching halt. The water would get cold, the phone would ring, someone would beat on the door to get in....
So— the idea that someone could offer me a solid hour of tranquil nothingness was a no-brainer. I'm all in. Owner Steve Eppell conversed with me about the experience and the totality of making it a full spa day.
All of the services are A la carte. I participated in the combo of 1/2 hour steam room, 1 hour float tank and ended with a 1 hour massage.
Every single thing was set up and in place. No need to take anything! The facility was clean and systematic — a visually and sensually soothing environment.
I am going to include their website so that I don't elongate on the procedure and factual side in lieu of offering my personal experience. Here is what to expect from the float tank.....Nothing! Nothing is wonderful! Your brain registers the 93.5 degree water temperature as skin receptor neutral. Combine this with darkness and lack of gravity and you won't know where your body ends and the water begins.
The float tanks are designed to mimic (as closely as possible) sensory deprivation. So, no clothes (unless you actually want to wear them) no jewelry, no hair clips. Nothing but you, the water and darkness — complete darkness. I literally could not see my hand in front of my face. I put in some ear plugs laid back and totally let go. So what do you do with just yourself when nothing but the sound of your heartbeat is infiltrating your brain for an hour? I left myself drift out to sea, flitted back and forth with the awe of weightlessness and then actually created a new character for my novel and two new rabbit trails to run down in the adventures of the plot.
I am a restless creature and didn't imagine that I would stay the entire hour. I was surprised when the gentle music filled the chamber signaling the time was over. I showered, dried off and put on another warm robe and headed to my massage. I tried to talk myself out of the massage. Which would have been a huge mistake! I have never —I repeat, NEVER had such a healing, therapeutic and holistic massage... ever. Kelci Eppel, my hats off to you, that was truly a religious experience. I walked out of Glo Spa feeling like Gumby on Prozac and questioned momentarily my ability to drive.
Cleanliness? Top notch! The water filtration started immediately after my timer signaled I was done. There were fabulous showers, fresh bath robes for each room, towels, spa shoes, ear plugs, infused water. Top of the line shampoo's, conditioners, soap and lotions.
Hours later I tried to think if there was anything that could even have been improved upon. Zilch. My only disappointment was that the experience was so good that I was a little let down when I opened the door to leave and found myself in a parking lot and not the balcony of a paradise tropical location with someone fanning me and feeding me grapes. The serenity and peace along with the holistic benefits of the steam, float and massage were ethereal.
~Seeds of great discoveries are constantly floating around us, but they only take root in minds well prepared to receive them~ Joseph Henry
Glow Spa
Call Steve Eppel (owner)
320 W Coleman Blvd #H
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
http://glowspa.net
843.388.9195
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