FLOATING INTO THE FUTURE. The Honey Pot will have a sensory deprivation flotation tank similar to this one.

Feeling stressed? Can’t fall asleep? Or do you simply want to defy gravity? Then consider taking a dip at The Honey Pot, a new massage therapy and flotation center offering the Chippewa Valley its very first meditative float pod.

According to the owner of The Honey Pot, Sarah Steinle, sensory deprivation devices were first created in the 1950s to explore what happens to the mind when isolated from external stimulation. It was discovered that such a device could facilitate a deep state of relaxation while heightening the senses and focus. Today, these devices are popular along the East and West coasts, but they are slowly making their way to the area.

Steinle, a Wisconsin native and graduate of Massage Therapy at Globe University, first learned about flotation therapy over a year ago and is excited to bring this experience to the Valley.

“There’s nothing like this, and I think Eau Claire needed it,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do some kind of holistic healing. People soak in Epsom salt baths, but this is an extreme version of that. There are a million different benefits to floating. It’s good for anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleeplessness, sleeping too much, arthritis, and broken bones. It heals you almost twice as fast.”  

The Honey Pot is situated between Marshfield Clinic and UW-Eau Claire in a perfect location providing a tranquil getaway with the pod room overlooking the Chippewa River. The pod itself looks like a large, enclosed bathtub and holds 10 inches of water thickened by just under a thousand pounds of Epsom salt, making the water so dense that users float safely like a cork.

“There is no weight or height limit really,” Steinle said. “It’s great for athletes. Recovery time with workout is almost cut in half. It’s also great for pregnant women, keeping weight off the hip and back. It’s good for the elderly and those with body aches and pains.”

So how does it work? First, individuals shower to get rid of any extra body oil. Then they enter the pod completely nude, as swimsuits can create restrictions on the body. Once in a comfortable position, the lid is closed, creating a lightproof and soundproof environment, and the air and water is warmed to skin temperature, eliminating the sense of touch.

Floaters slowly lose awareness of where their body ends and begins, and journey into deep relaxation. Each individual’s experience will be different, but one thing is for sure, a float will leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

For first time floaters, lying naked in a pitch-black pod and isolated from external stimulation can seem intimidating. “A lot of people are scared of what they don’t know,” Steinle said. “It’s for everybody. It brings you back to homeostasis. Whatever you’re lacking, it evens you out. Your brain waves bump up into the theta brain waves, just like before you’re sleeping or when you’re meditating. The possibilities are endless once your mind is quiet.”

The Honey Pot will offer 60-minute float sessions for $50 and 90-minute float sessions for $65. Additionally, Steinle will be providing 60-minute massages for $40. The center opened Sept. 1, with an introductory rate ($15 off) for the first two weeks on float sessions.

At the moment, The Honey Pot can accommodate five float sessions a day. With so many people already showing interest, there are plans to add a second pod in the next six months and possibly a third as well. Frequent float cards will also be available for individuals looking to utilize the center often.

Having grown up in the area, Sarah wants to take this opportunity to give back to the community through monthly fundraisers for charities. Individuals who donate can put their name in a drawing for a free float session. Some of the fundraised money will go towards a second pod along with a class where she would learn to help clients understand the different layers of the psyche and get the most out of their floats.

The Honey Pot is a certainly a unique addition to the Chippewa Valley as it’s dedicated to supporting the community in wholeness of body, mind, and spirit and provides a peaceful sanctuary for those seeking solitude and healing. Sarah welcomes all individuals to enjoy an experience like no other, so stop by and float a while. There’s nothing to lose, but gravity.  

Stay up to date with The Honey Pot on Facebook at www.facebook.com/honeypot.ec.