Uncovering Northern Wellbeing: Floatation Therapy - A Holistic Wellness Experience
Floatation therapy is an excellent way to achieve deep relaxation and recovery for both the body and mind. It provides people with the opportunity to relieve muscle tension, improve sleep quality, and experience mental calmness without external distractions. Tomi Kaarela, the founder of Floasis Floatation Center, shares how floatation therapy has changed his life and why it is a great tool for supporting holistic wellness.
In this blog post, we dive into Tomi Kaarela's thoughts and receive answers to important questions about floatation therapy, its benefits, and its role in holistic wellbeing.
1. How did Floasis come to life? What inspired you to start a floatation center?
Tomi Kaarela:
"In 2019, I came across an Instagram ad for a floatation center in Helsinki, Float Kallio, which piqued my interest. I started researching the effects of floatation and was stunned – I had to try it! I was just about to leave for a trip to the United States, and during that trip, I had my first floatation experience. It was love at first float!
I shared my discovery with my business partner, with whom I run a combat sports center in Oulu. He also became interested in the idea, and we started planning the opening of our own floatation center. By a stroke of luck, we ended up bringing a third partner on board, and we opened Oulu’s first floatation center in September 2019.
We sold our first center in 2022. However, after a little over a year, it started to feel like our journey with floatation services was not complete. We began envisioning a more exclusive concept and wondering what we could do better. In the fall of 2024, Floasis was opened – a modern sanctuary for today’s busy individuals, a place where both the mind and body can rest."
2. What should someone trying floatation therapy for the first time know and expect from the experience?
Tomi Kaarela:
"I recommend coming into the experience with an open mind, without any big expectations. I believe that your body knows what it needs. Thanks to the warm, body-floating saltwater and the sensory-deprivation environment, you can experience deep relaxation, pause to be with yourself, and simply unwind. Each experience is unique – sometimes it can be entirely euphoric, other times deeply peaceful."
3. How does floatation therapy differ from other relaxation methods, such as massage or meditation?
Tomi Kaarela:
"The uniqueness of floatation lies in the reduction of sensory input. The body-temperature saltwater in the floatation tank is even more saline than the Dead Sea, and it allows the body to float effortlessly, creating a feeling of weightlessness. This enables deep physical and mental relaxation.
In today’s world, we are constantly exposed to stimuli and interruptions. It’s crucial for the mind to be in an environment where sensory input is minimized. In massage, muscles are relaxed through external stimulation, and meditation requires active focus, at least in the beginning. In floatation, both the body and mind naturally transition into a state of deep relaxation without effort."
4. Does floatation therapy have long-term benefits, and how often do you recommend floating for optimal effects?
Tomi Kaarela:
"Floatation therapy has many long-term benefits, such as reduced stress levels, improved sleep quality, faster muscle recovery, and increased creativity. For optimal results, I recommend regular floating – once or twice a month, depending on an individual’s needs and life situation. In acute situations, such as high stress or recovery challenges, floatation can even be recommended several times a week."
5. Do the drinks or snacks offered after the session have any particular significance for wellbeing?
Tomi Kaarela:
"After a float session, it’s important to drink plenty of water, as floating stimulates metabolism. However, I believe the main purpose of the post-float offerings is to create a relaxed moment for guests to reflect on their experience and enjoy the immediate effects of the float. This works well with quality coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and light snacks."
6. Some floaters have deep insights or even mystical experiences – have you heard of any customer experiences that have made an impact?
Tomi Kaarela:
"This is one of the most rewarding parts of my work! Today, a customer shared that they had suffered from insomnia for a long time, but after two consecutive float sessions, they had slept through the night for two nights in a row.
Once, a customer left our premises after a float, but returned shortly after. They had called their son, with whom they had been estranged for years, after their session.
A woman came initially to float for her psoriasis, but after a few sessions, she told us that she was sleeping better than she had in years and felt happier than ever! These stories are constantly emerging, and they remind us of the powerful impact floatation can have."
7. Do you think floatation could serve as a gateway to personal growth and inner balance?
Tomi Kaarela:
"Absolutely. Many people find that floatation helps clear their thoughts, release stress, and find a deeper connection with themselves. For me, this is perhaps the most important aspect of floatation.
It’s rewarding to see how friends, couples, groups, and even strangers converse and share their experiences after floating. When people are in a natural, creative, and flowing state, conversations begin to bubble up spontaneously. To me, this is spirituality at its best."
Conclusion: The Benefits of Floatation for Holistic Wellbeing
Floatation therapy is an incredibly effective way to promote holistic wellness. It offers the opportunity for mental calmness, relief from muscle tension, and the improvement of sleep – all without external distractions or effort. Floatation is not only a physical experience but can also open doors to personal growth and a deeper connection with yourself.
Floatation is a powerful tool that can support both physical recovery and mental clarity. If you haven’t tried it yet, it may be the experience that takes your wellness to the next level.
