<![CDATA[Floatwise - Blog]]>Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:49:28 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Imagination]]>Tue, 15 May 2018 01:46:23 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/imagination
Often we forget to use our imaginations, sometimes we forget it even exists. It is easy to see after spending an afternoon with a child how prevalent our imagination was for us. It was so easily accessible. What happens, how do we lose it and how do we gain it back? I think the float tank is one of the answers, there are many others. But we also have to give ourselves permission to get it back. In this space of imagination is where we play, it's where we create and dream. This space is always enjoyable. Just give yourself permission to be there. It makes a difference, you see it in your sleep, you see it in your work, you see it in your body. Allow yourself to see it. Imagine in whatever way you can, on the beach, in the float tank, gazing at the stars, staring at the clouds, just do it, give yourself permission. 
]]>
<![CDATA[Coping skills & emotional intelligence workshop]]>Fri, 16 Mar 2018 19:27:05 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/coping-skills-emotional-intelligence-workshop
I will have room for 5-10 kids and it will be on a Saturday from 9-12. Date and price is TBD. Please spread the word and if you or someone you know is interested please send an email to floatwise@gmail.com with your email, phone number, child's name, and grade level.

More info soon :)

I am so excited to teach this to our littles!

When I was a child I would have benefited immensely from something like this. I was not self aware enough to know what made me happy nor did I have healthy coping skills to integrate into my daily life. Instead I adapted by picking up negative coping skills. We take emotional intelligence for granted, even as an adult I still struggle with this. What if we taught it to our kids though? What if we made them self aware? They are at the prime age where they know exactly what makes them happy, it isn’t filtered by any cultural or societal needs. Kids just are.

That is where the workshop comes into play. When a child is having a tantrum you do not teach them coping skills in that moment. They are too emotional to learn. You teach coping skills to them everyday as a preventative measure and you integrate it into their daily lives. It will be less likely that they get to the tantrum stage and when they are there you can help to calm them down a lot faster with the proper coping skills. They may even be able to calm themselves down because they will now know how to do it.


​I feel like this is something that is desperately needed and not given enough value. Emotions run us if we let them, children need to be taught how to identify, express, and regulate their own emotions. This also teaches them social intelligence, how to interact with other people. They need to be mindful and self aware to do that. This helps them to be independent and to feel confident to be themselves.
]]>
<![CDATA[We have a new space!]]>Tue, 20 Feb 2018 06:12:46 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/we-have-a-new-space
We couldn't believe how many things we had in the studio. We had that space organized very nicely...we fit a lot of crap in there. It took us so many loads, the tank alone was a lot of work and took 4 awesome guys to lift it. Once we were here we had to unpack and set up a space for the tank. Niv even made an outdoor shower. We can't wait for you all to come and experience our new space with us.
]]>
<![CDATA[friends from japan who float]]>Mon, 13 Nov 2017 00:21:43 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/friends-from-japan-who-float
Float Number 1
非日常の暗闇と静けさの中、自分の鼓動だけが聞こえてきて、だんだんと思考が浮かんでは消え、浮かんでは消えていきました。眠りに近い状態から目覚めると30分が経過… と思いきや実際は90分が経過。時間からも解放されるひとときでした。

Float Number 2
2回目のフローティングは、準備から塩水に身を委ねるまで、落ちついて自分のペースを保つ事ができました。身体の力みやよぎる思考をコントロールしながら、眠りに近い状態で過ごし、自分の軸を感じられたような気がしました。

Float Number 3
将来自分がどうしたいのか、どう暮らしたいのか、最近考えこむ事が多くありました。フローティング中、次々よぎる思考や感情を一つずつ捨てていくと、頭の中が少し整理され、新しいスペースを作ることができたように感じました。
]]>
<![CDATA[Recovery]]>Sat, 11 Nov 2017 20:02:45 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/recovery
I wanted to take a second to talk about recovery. Recovery is a continuing process, it does not ever stop. It becomes easier over time but I am always working. The last month has really been a struggle for me in my recovery from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Sometimes I don't even feel like I'm in recovery. But my best friend helped to remind me that relapse is all a part of recovery. It's hard to shed years and years of conditioning. I have to work everyday to remind myself that I do have control over my body and my reactions. By no means is it easy. It's exhausting and sometimes I can't fight it. I let go to the misery inside and I try hard to let go in a healthy way, I try to create new pathways, new learned behaviors to take over the old but like I said it's hard. When you've spent years and years on the floor of the bathroom next to the toilet throwing up or on the ground in the shower not able to move, something about those spaces become comfortable...its what I'm used to. Sometimes when I'm in the space of misery I know if I just go in the tank or go for a walk or call my friend it will make me feel better but I can't bring myself to do it and the times that I do I am fighting every bone in my body to do it. Like I said my brain is comfortable in that space and it doesn't want to get out, it knows if I reach for those skills I will come out which is why it prevents me from doing it. I just have to keep on. I'm training my brain to use new coping skills to take the place of the unhealthy ones. I don't need to continue to go to those spaces of misery it's not necessary and I give myself permission to let go of those spaces. I give you permission too. When you think life is manifesting you remember you are manifesting it! 
]]>
<![CDATA[my new role]]>Sat, 11 Nov 2017 19:53:37 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/my-new-role
I have newly taken on the role as program manager for NAMI Hawaii. I'm incredibly stoked for this opportunity and look forward to working for a community that is fighting for the same thing I am. 
I came across NAMI during a frantic Google search. I just had an interaction with my mom who suffers from bipolar disorder. It was another instance of words she didn't mean. I knew she didn't mean it but it didn't stop the sting. I didn't know how to fully separate the disease from the person and I was suffering myself. I found NAMIs support groups and started attending. It was there i felt support and found other people who understood and had been through what I was currently going through. I also found education and tools. It was still extremely hard but all of a sudden I wasn't alone and I was opened up to a community I had no idea existed. Soon after that I started fundraising and attending the walks. I even attended one in North Carolina and took the girls I was nannying. I also attended kick off events in Florida. When I returned home I knew I wanted to get involved again and volunteered for the walk committee. I loved it and soon after I served on NAMI's board of directors and now I'm program manager. 
I have big shoes to fill as I know Trisha has been amazing and laid down an incredible foundation for me to continue to grow. So thankful for her...and Kumi and what they have done for all of us because we are all in this together. 

On the way home it finally hit me, this is where I am and I love where it is going. I was so filled with joy a few tears came up...so ready for the good things to come, so ready I'll take the struggles too. 💚💙💜
]]>
<![CDATA[Queen of the Bay, Waimea Bay Women’s Surf Competition]]>Sat, 09 Sep 2017 18:56:13 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/queen-of-the-bay-waimea-bay-womens-surf-competition
The surf competition at Waimea Bay known as the Eddie Aikau has always been dominated by men. Women are now getting a turn, given permits to hold a contest during the months of October 1st to November 21st (2017).

According to the contest’s website:  

Born on the island of Maui in the 18th century, Queen Ka'ahumanu redefined the perceived roles of Hawaiian women. Defying the Kapu system’s strict separation of men and women, this strong Hawaiian monarch and surfer sat at the table and dined beside the king. With all the chiefs and priests to bear witness, she was not struck down by the gods, no lighting came from the sky, and with this one public act set forth a ripple of change.

Surfing in a big wave competition requires training, focus, rest, and support. The University of Cincinnati is currently using the float tank to keep their athletes in prime condition, not overworking them physically OR mentally. They check their levels before and after the tank and they are finding that it decreases cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, as well as blood pressure. A lot of students also get stress level increases around test taking times which makes it harder for them to concentrate as well as to recover quicker and not overwork themselves. The float tank can help with this as well. As it has also been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. The Float Conference Podcast did an interview with him you can check out here

In the past floating has been seen to improve sports performance, focus, and rest & recovery. It reduces the lactic acid buildup and allows for anti-inflammation due to the Epsom salts. Your body also produces endorphins, its own pain relieving chemicals. Lots of top athletes are using the float tank to optimize their performance today: Tom Brady, Steph Curry, Joe Rogan, Julian Edelman, Willie Mason, Carl Lewis, and then some.

We see athletes use floatation therapy for some of these sports: volleyball, yoga, surfing, basketball, football, crossfit, and more.


Check out these websites for more information on Queen of the Bay:

http://www.theinertia.com/surf/first-ever-womens-comp-at-waimea-bay-scheduled-for-this-fall/

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/separate-from-the-eddie-just-for-the-ladies-womens-big-wave-contest-coming-to-waimea-bay_149053/

http://towsurfer.com/2017/08/first-ever-womens-comp-at-waimea-bay-scheduled-for-this-fall/

http://www.grindtv.com/surf/womens-waimea-bay-championship-would-be-first-women-only-big-wave-contest/

For more information on the Eddie Aikau check out:

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/239486/2016-17-quiksilver-in-memory-of-eddie-aikau-big-wave-invitational-comes-to-a-close

https://www.outsideonline.com/2055446/op-ed-let-women-compete-big-wave-surf-competitions

http://www.theinertia.com/surf/meet-the-9-men-who-have-won-the-eddie/

https://www.outsideonline.com/2054886/everything-you-need-know-about-eddie-aikau-surfing-competition

For more information on floating and sports check out:

https://www.si.com/tech-media/2016/07/06/ohio-state-buckeyes-football-sensory-deprivation-tanks



]]>
<![CDATA[2017 float conference]]>Tue, 29 Aug 2017 19:39:48 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/2017-float-conferencePicture
Niv and I make sure to try to learn as much as we can about floating staying up to date and  also by attending the float conference back in August. We can't believe how much is happening in the floating world. So much amazing research from the Air Force, Laureate Brain Institute for Brain Research, and the University of Cincinnati. Floating can allow you to balance physiological symptoms of your body with just ONE float and it can last 4-7+ months after. It balances your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems whichever way it is disrupted. All you have to do is get in the tank and it can lower your blood pressure, lower your cortisol levels, and improve heart rate variability, even for people who are under chronic physical and mental stress. Also shown in the data presented this at the conference: floating (in a sensory deprivation tank) enhances mental wellness. It allows your body the break it needs to heal itself, both mentally and physically. Floating enhances your mind, body, and soul. It is an extremely valuable tool to evolving as a human being. 


I can feel the difference floating has not only on my body and well being before and after a float, but all of our clients' body and well being as well. They hold themselves differently when they come out of the tank, and you can feel the difference spending time alone with their self has done for them. I encourage everyone to try a float and feel the difference for your self. 



-xx (honihoni) anisa

]]>
<![CDATA[Article titled: “Float therapy: A new method in PTSD treatment”]]>Tue, 29 Aug 2017 19:21:13 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/article-titled-float-therapy-a-new-method-in-ptsd-treatment

​​I think as a species most of us who are suffering mentally have been for a while. Some of us just didn’t or couldn’t see it. We were too stuck. A lot of us are tired of the current mental health model we have right now. We are told to take a pill that only helps with the symptoms, sometimes only decreasing them, and sometimes causing worse side effects than the symptom it is eradicating. The pill doesn’t even solve the problem. We are also told to go to talk therapy, with the cultural mindset that our healing will come from someone else. The problem with that is that it is the wrong mindset. Healing cannot come from someone else, it is your mind that is creating it, it is your mind that needs to change it. You’re going to have to do the work, and you have to continue to do the work to prevent it from happening again. By no means am I saying it is easy because it’s not, but it is easier with the right tools. From the beginning we need to be taught that our healing comes from within, not from someone else. The float tank is a safe space for you to discover your self. Get back in touch with who you are and why. The way you think directly contributes to how you feel. The float tank is one of the many tools you can use to change the way you think, empowering you to change how you feel.

Straight from the article:

“It’s like a reset button for your brain,” Hearn said. “It really is. If you think of your brain as a computer, you have all these apps that are going to the hard drive, and you’re letting it all reboot.”

In addition to the mental break the technique gives floaters, the ability to feel weightless and relieve the stress from pressure points and joints is a huge benefit, he said.

The biggest draw of floating for Hearn, though, other than his own positive experience, are the benefits to military veterans and sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The lack of stimuli allows the brain to confront images or memories they have previously suppressed, he said.

“What’s actually helping people on our PTSD program is, when they get into the tank and get to that point, now they can address it in a calm environment where there’s nothing else there that could hurt them,” Hearn said. “They feel calm in the tank. They feel like it’s secure, and they’re safe, and they can approach the traumatic events in more of an internal counseling session with themselves.”


Article: https://www.military1.com/ptsd/article/1641000014-float-therapy-a-new-method-in-ptsd-treatment/





]]>
<![CDATA[Why you should float after the dentist]]>Sun, 06 Aug 2017 19:58:14 GMThttp://floatwise.com/blog/why-you-should-float-after-the-dentistFirst of all I really dislike going to the dentist, who doesn’t? Don’t get me wrong, I love the dentist that I have, I think he is an amazing dentist, he is understanding, and takes the time to understand why. But also: There’s usually shots involved which means needles, and lots of drooling, and slobbering, and someone is looking and inspecting how good you are at taking care of yourself. Most times it feels like you’re just being judged the whole time. They know whether or not you smoke, drink coffee, tea, they can tell a lot by your teeth and when you recognize that, it feels like they are judging you for it. The whole time you’re just like oh my gosh, why didn’t I floss more, I should be brushing 3 times a day, they probably think I’m a monster! And then you put on some head phones and try to listen to music as they go about their business in your mouth. When my teeth are being drilled I can barely hear my headphones on full blast. It feels like I am in a war zone. The whole time I have my eyes closed, I can’t look at the needle from the shot or the drills, or their judging eyes. I just want to hide away in my head away from everything that is happening to me. It feels like I have no control. I take a breath and I remember the float tank, my safe space. I remember the only control I have is how I react and what good is it if I continue to react like this?

And then I began to think of my next float and how much I need it. I’m sitting in a dentist chair and I realize that my whole body is tensed up. I am actively having to remind myself to relax. That is an hour of exhaustion for me. If I wasn’t consenting to this it would feel like a trauma, it would be considered torture, but I am consenting.

My fight or flight response is turned on, leaving you with your overactive amygdala. Luckily the tank shuts your amygdala off, shuts down the fight or flight response for just a little while at least, sometimes more with practice. The epsom salts also help to release whatever toxins you got from that experience. You also need to heal, my mouth is usually sore from all the poking and prodding as well as holding it open for that long. You heal in rest and the tank is the deepest state of rest your brain can have. So get in the tank.

​]]>