When you think fitness, what comes to mind is usually a fast-paced, sweaty workout to burn off those calorie-laden junk we’ve been feeding our bodies.
While that’s not wrong, a cardio workout hardly constitutes the entire concept of fitness. Fitness is a connection between the mind and body – which makes meditation a huge part of fitness.
It is a common misconception that, when the body is at rest, it is completely unproductive.
Well, here to bust that myth is a studio home to floatation pods and calm, meditative spaces for you to free your mind.
Palm Ave Float Club
Zero clutter, and away from the bustle of the city life that we’re all too familiar with – walking into this space was a breath of fresh air.
The vibe was zen, calming the mind and easing the body in preparation of a new environment: the floatation pod.
At the reception area, I was greeted by Cherie, who checked me in and handed me a cup of tea. It was my first time in a floatation pod, so Cherie talked me through the whole process of floating, and the healing properties of salt water.
The Floatation Pod & its benefits
Floating is a form of meditation.
Like all meditative practices, floating helps to clear the mind, calm the soul, and reset our bodies.
It is a mental detoxification, which is especially therapeutic in today’s digital age. We are not only glued to our digital devices like computers and handphones, we are also multi-tasking thanks to the functionalities of these devices.
Floating helps us to put aside such stressors and focus on the present.
To reap the full benefits of floating, your mind should be free from distraction for the whole 60 or 90 minutes. When you find yourself drifting to other thoughts, bring your focus back to your breath, or the atmospheric music played in the pod.
Be aware of what you’re feeling in your body, so you’ll leave the pod noticing the difference.
Each pod is filled with 500kg of epsom salt dissolved in water, making floating effortless. So don’t be afraid to lie back and relax. In addition to healing in the form of meditation, the buoyancy of the salt water helps to heal muscle aches and ease tensions in the body as well.
I guess it’s true what they say, “The cure for anything is salt water”.
What to expect
After the introduction, it was time to leave my insecurities at the door, strip down, and trust in salt water.
Yes, one is recommended to float nude to feel weightless – after all, you do have an entire room to yourself. If putting on a swimsuit makes you feel more comfortable – by all means!
Due to hygiene purposes, it is necessary to take a shower before stepping into the pod. Don’t worry, soap, shampoo, and towels are provided.
Next, I popped in earplugs (also provided), switched off the lights, and stepped into the pod.
The water was at a comfortable temperature and felt slightly alkaline from the salt content. I took no time at all to familiarise myself with my new surroundings.
There was a spray bottle and a small towel hooked over a rod on the left, just in case I somehow managed to get salt water in my eye (I didn’t).
There were also large rubber buttons in the pod for me to switch the colour changing lights off within the pod as soon as I was comfortable.
My experience
I shut the pod and laid down, arms and legs stretched out like a starfish (in yoga terms, savasana). The pod was spacious – my hands and feet did not touch the edge of the pod, and the roof of the pod did not feel close to my face at all. As soon as I closed my eyes, I completely forgot that I was in a pod.
I’m pretty sensitive to motion when in the water, especially when I’m on a boat or on a paddleboard (I don’t get sick, but I do feel nauseous).
But while I was floating in the pod, I did not feel any motion.
That few minutes before I fell asleep, I actually heard white noise – a beat that sounded like it came from a turntable (apparently this is common). I then drifted into a deep sleep, dreamt, then woke up panicking because I forgot that I was in a floating pod – that was how comfortable I was!
The only thing I’d have done differently was to use the pool noodle provided to support my neck, because I felt slightly nauseous not from motion sickness, but from the weight of my head hanging down.
Overall, the experience was extremely relaxing and rejuvenating – I’d definitely be back!
As a self-professed worrywart, and someone who is constantly juggling too many things at once, I did feel more calm and alert after my float.
If you’d like to carry your meditation on after that 60 or 90-minute long float, feel free to stay as long as you like at Palm Ave’s chill out spaces, and take in the breathtaking view of Kallang.
Palm Ave Float Club
Location:
66 Kampong Bugis, #05-01, Singapore 338987
20 Waringin Park, Singapore 416333
Website here
Also, read Better Than A Power Nap – Freedom Yoga Energises You In Just 30 Minutes!
