Again, a thanks–for your interest and attention. Since reading David Foster Wallace’s Kenyon commencent address, my appreciation for the direction and content of individual attention often looms large. I don’t want to sound too recursive, just to share that I now pay much more attention to that which I give my attention. Your time here is appreciated.
As ifloat grows and evolves, I’ll do my best to share thoughts and progress here. I look forward to your reactions and comments, and the influence they may provide in the directing our evolution. One wonderful bit of forward motion that I wanted to share is our upcoming open house here at ifloat to celebrate and mark our opening.
On September 19th, we will be hosting the grand opening from 3 to 9 p.m. Please do join us for light food and drinks. We are really looking forward to sharing the results of the many months of bureaucracy-juggling, dust, noise, anticipation and hard work. We see the place every day, but I never tire of hearing people’s reaction to the warm and peaceful environment that issued from all of that activity. This is a nice place to be. If you can join us, please call at 203.226.7378, or send a message to ifloatspa@gmail.com and let us know.
Our opening, on the 19th and all the days that follow, also allows an opportunity to share with friends, family and community what we have learned about Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (REST). Also known as floatation, floatation therapy or wet REST, floating provides a novel and singularly effective way to address a much-talked-about if little-addressed aspect of all our lives: Stress.
At the end of the post, I’ll include a number of links to guide you to resources that detail the science and philosophy behind the application of floatation REST to the problem of stress. These will do a better job than I might in making clear connections for you. I invite you to use just a bit of that limited quantity known as your attention in reviewing some of the material linked. One of the pioneers in the study of REST, Dr. Roderick Borrie, puts it in this way:
Being able to unwind from the tangle of stress and enter a state of deep relaxation is one of the most important skills you can learn. It is a skill that will benefit both your physical and mental health as well as making you happier and giving you a sense of having more control.
Not only is it possible for everyone to relax, it is necessary.
I guess that, to return to my running theme, I am asking you to pay attention to you. Floating may not be for you, but surely, there is some event or activity that will allow you the required relaxation to which Dr. Borrie refers. Even without consideration of the voluminous data behind the links below documenting the subjective joy and objective efficacy of REST, I can share that, for real people, people like you, floating is a profoundly peaceful practice. Come see the space on the 19th, come another time and pay attention to the space between your ears.
One final thought before the links for your consideration: Below is a message, from what I can guess, sent just as our guests returned home. Upon finding us on the web, this married couple called and scheduled that day. To get here, they’d driven two and a half hours from upstate NY. Based on what you’ll read below, I think they’ll be mking the trip again sometime soon. Now that’s paying attention.
Dear Sean ~
I just wanted to write and tell you how much Jim and I enjoyed ourselves at your new place today. It was totally worth the trip, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again. My son-in-law owns a restaurant, so I know it’s nice to get feedback when you open a new business, and it was such an enjoyable experience for us that I felt compelled to write. Your place is immaculately clean, very beautifully decorated and I love the way you have the tanks and the shower all in one private space. It was so kind and considerate of you to not only give us a good rate, but to allow us to float for 95 minutes! Neither of us were too hungry after the float, so we didn’t make it to the restaurant you recommended; we just drove home — unfortunately, we forgot that it was the Friday of Labor Day weekend and we hit all kinds of traffic, but we were so relaxed and happy that it didn’t even bother us.
Thanks again, and hope to see you soon.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/floattalk/
http://hailthefloaters.pbworks.com/
Consciousness Classic-The Book of Floating
Great post. This is an excellent start.