The season of gratitude is upon us. What better way to give thanks for your health and wellness than rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit?
Awaken Float Lounge is the perfect place to recharge and rejuvenate. Soak your stress away for an hour and a half session in a private “float room,” where the water tanks are filled with 1200 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt for pure relaxation.
The goal of the restorative Orange County fixture, in business for more than six years, is to provide a safe, calming environment and platform for self-discovery.
Owner/operator Benjamin Allen has plenty to be thankful for this year—and his clientele tops the list.
“I’m thankful for the members of Awaken, whose patronage keeps it going and gives me a livelihood I can be proud of,” he says of the business.
“While we are entirely inclusive, we are a business that has a lot of elements similar to a club. It’s really the members who make the club what it is, not the administrator.”
When it comes to offering an experience to the community that’s truly one-of-a-kind, Benjamin and his staff have found their niche.
“Awaken offers something unique—an environment without your senses. Floating effortlessly in a large saltwater tub, with the sensations of light, sound, temperature, and gravity removed, you can immerse yourself in an environment that is completely different from every day,” he says, adding, “No two floats are the same!”
An essential part of delivering the ultimate customer experience entails cultivating an inviting atmosphere.
“Our members come from all walks of life—all incomes, social classes, ages, etc.,” says Benjamin.
“Whatever it is that unites ‘floaters’ in enjoying the experience is intangible, though we try to articulate it in our daily conversations. There’s just something about it—it’s different for everyone, but it’s also different every time someone does it,” he says.
Although the concept of a float lounge is innovative, the practice of self-discovery has deep historical roots.
“Yoga, meditation, prayer, breath work, and now, floating,” says Benjamin. “It represents a new angle from which we can view ourselves, question ourselves, and reveal ourselves.”
The benefits of floating aren’t limited to mental nourishment, however.
“We have plenty of clients for whom floating is almost an entirely physical experience. The saltwater reduces inflammation, and the zero-gravity environment provides tremendous joint and muscle relief. Plenty of people are napping for at least a portion of their float,” says Benjamin.
“In clinical tests, floating has been shown to substantially lower the heart rate and respiration rate compared to normal resting rates,” he says.
The transformative effects of floating called Benjamin to become a part of the business, which he took over in January 2022.
“Before floating, I had a successful career of almost 20 years. Within a year of my first float, I left, and had entered into an agreement with Awaken’s founder for the full transfer of the business,” he says.
“Since then, I’ve been trying to grasp what it is about floating that could cause such a transformation,” he continues. “Thankfully, our members love to share their experiences, and we ‘workshop’ how floating benefits us all in a way that is unique to each of our life’s circumstances.”
awakenfloatlounge.com/