Young Entrepreneur Helps Stress and Pain Float Away
Article originally published in Natural Awakenings magazine
March 2016
By Sheila Julson
While Greg Griffin was in college studying nutrition, he listened to a health-related podcast that discussed floatation therapy, also known as floating. With this healing modality, one lies in a large pod containing a shallow solution of warm water and Epsom salt, allowing the person to effortlessly float on the surface. The environment is usually lightproof and sound insulated, providing for maximum relaxation. Intrigued by the benefits touted on the podcast, Griffin did further research on floating.
“I wanted to give floating a try, but the closest float center at that time was in Chicago,” Griffin recalls. So he made the road trip, and he became enthralled by the experience and its meditative benefits.
Griffin had ideas for opening a wellness-related business. In 2013, he took a break from school and traveled the country, experiencing float centers in different cities. Floating helped relieve jetlag and improved his sleep. “I would get off the plane feeling exhausted, but after a float I felt refreshed and ready to experience the new place I had traveled to,” Griffin states. Griffin didn’t like the idea of driving to Chicago every time he wanted to float, and his vision to open a float center in Wisconsin grew more vivid. During his travels, he spoke with people that gave him the confidence to pursue his passion. He began networking with business owners that offered
encouragement and guidance, and in 2014, he attended a conference for float center owners held in Portland, Oregon, where he gained valuable knowledge.
Armed with motivation and newfound business savvy, he approached Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, an organization that provides advice and access to capital for start-up businesses. Those efforts, combined with personal savings and money raised through crowd funding on GoFundMe, helped Griffin open Float Madison in February.
The center has one float pod and also one float room, which Griffin says is seven feet tall so one can stand up. “It’s more spacious than the pods,” he explains. “It’s better for people that are claustrophobic, but even with the pods, claustrophobic people can keep the lid open and lights on. They can also get out at any time. The person is in control, but to get the most out of the experience, it’s best to shut out as much external stimuli as possible.”
A float tank is filled with 10 inches of water, in which 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt is dissolved. Griffin says anyone can float, regardless of his or her weight. The eyes, nose and mouth stay above the water. An average session lasts 60 minutes; Float Madison offers longer sessions, too.
Griffin says there are many benefits to floating, such as relieving aches and pains and providing pure relaxation. “Floating can benefit everyone. Many NFL players are floating. The New England Patriots have installed float pods in their training facility, and it’s catching on in the NBA with athletes like Stephen Curry floating on a regular basis,” he notes.
Griffin mentions that many people try floating for one reason and they discover other benefits they weren’t expecting, “While some seek pain relief, the mind also relaxes and the brain shifts to a meditative state. In a float tank, awesome things happen. The brain has more time to rest and think clearly.”
The Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) in Tulsa, Oklahoma has recently set up their float research clinic to begin scientific studies on how floating helps with various mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and anorexia. “Equipped with state-of-the-art testing equipment, including FMRI machines, new research will be published over the next few years,” Griffin says. He also plans to partner with the Fibromyalgia Flotation Project, an organization that studies how floating can help people suffering from fibromyalgia.
“Floating is a deep, personal experience, and people can learn about themselves and focus on mindfulness,” Griffin enthuses. “I will continue to spread awareness so that people can relieve pain and stress to become happier, healthier and more focused people.”
Float Madison is located at 312 E. Wilson St., Madison. For more information, call 608-217-3524 or visit FloatMadison.com.
Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-area freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.
