Skip caffeine
Avoid coffee and stimulants for a few hours before your float so your nervous system can fully settle.
First-Timer's Guide
Your first float, step by step.
Everything you need to know before your first floatation session at Yorkshire Floatation Centre — how to prepare, what to wear, what actually happens inside the pod, and how to get the most from that first hour of weightless silence.
Before you arrive
How to prepare.
Eat lightly
A light meal an hour or two before helps you drift off without hunger or heaviness.
Don't shave that day
Fresh shaves and salt water sting — leave shaving until the day before your session.
Skip heavy lotions & perfumes
So the water stays crystal clear for you and the next guest.
Arrive 10 minutes early
Give yourself time to settle in, use the shower and step gently into your session.
Bring nothing
Towels, toiletries, ear plugs and a private shower are all provided.
On the day
Step-by-step at Yorkshire Floatation.
01
Arrival & orientation
You'll be shown to your private float suite: a self-contained room with the Orbit/Exo pod, a rain shower and everything you need. We walk you through the pod controls, light, sound and how to leave the lid open if you prefer.
02
Pre-float shower
A quick warm shower to remove oils, deodorant and product from skin and hair. Fresh ear plugs go in — they keep salt out of the ear canal and help block sound.
03
Into the pod
Step into skin-temperature water saturated with over 500kg of medical-grade Epsom salt. You lie back and float instantly — no effort, no technique needed. Lid open or closed, light on or off, music or silence: you choose from inside.
04
The float itself
First 10-15 minutes your body settles: neck softens, shoulders drop, breathing slows. Around the 40-minute mark most people describe a distinct shift — thoughts thin out, the body 'disappears', and time stops behaving normally.
05
Gentle end
Music fades in to signal the end of your session. You climb out, rinse the salt off in the shower, and get dressed. Take your time — most guests linger over a herbal tea in reception.
FAQ
First-timer questions.
What do you wear in a floatation tank?
Nothing. Each float suite is completely private and locked from the inside, so guests float nude — swimwear traps salt against the skin and creates pressure points. If you'd rather wear something, swimwear is fine.
Will I be claustrophobic?
The Orbit/Exo pod is a full-height cabin, not a coffin. The lid is entirely under your control — most first-timers leave it partly or fully open.
What if I fall asleep?
Perfectly safe. The salt density makes it almost impossible to roll over. If sleep happens, treat it as a sign your body needed it.
Can I float if I'm pregnant?
Yes, after the first trimester, and floating is a wonderful way to relieve the weight of a growing bump. Please let us know when booking.
How often should I float?
Benefits are cumulative. Weekly or fortnightly floats show the strongest effect on sleep, stress and recovery — our 5-session package is our most popular option for exactly this reason.