(April 20, 2017) Escaping the pressures of life and succumbing to relaxation are a couple of the benefits offered by a floating session at Ocean Elements Salt Spa in the Serenity Salon in Ocean Pines.
“You can’t tell where your skin ends and the water begins,” owner Jeanne Mills, said. “It is quite an experience to offer the community and Eastern Shore.”
Floaters lay naked on their backs in a 200-gallon water pod filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, which is kept at the skin-neutral temperature of 93.5 degrees, although it will vary throughout the session.
“It releases tension, dopamine and endorphins,” Mills said. “A session offers stress and pain relief. The objective is to lay in the water, relax, mediate and clear your mind.”
After shutting the pod door, all sounds from the outside world are gone. Patrons can choose a color light setting or unwind in total darkness and relax to calming music, bring their own meditative tracks or indulge in silence.
“It is totally up to the person having the experience,” Mills said.
A welcome message begins each session, which are generally an hour long. Ear plugs are provided.
“The dissolved salt gives you a buoyancy and the feeling of floating on a cloud,” Mills said.
Afterwards, an exit message will play and clients are encouraged to take a shower, with all the necessities for bathing provided.
An appointment takes 90 minutes, including the hour-long session, but can be adjusted to be shorter or longer.
“The skin is the biggest organ in the body and Epsom salts absorb magnesium, which helps with nutrient balance,” Mills said.
Floatation spa therapy has been used to relieve chronic pain, anxiety and stress in addition to helping clients recover from injuries, PTSD and addictions, she said.
“There are a lot of good benefits and it is a more natural alternative for chronic pain management,” Mills said. “This is something I am passionate about. I have been a nurse [for more than 20 years] and I really believe in this.”
Mills discovered a salt spa when she was celebrating her anniversary with her husband during an October trip to Williamsburg, Virginia.
“We were looking for something different to do and came across a salt spa,” Mills said. “We loved it. The first thought out of my head was I have to have one of these and it would be wonderful to bring it to my community. There is nothing around here similar. You would have to go to Williamsburg or Annapolis.”
After doing research online, the couple found Superior Float Tanks, a manufacturer in Norfolk, Virginia.
“Michelle [O’Ferrall] had space available and we approached her in November,” Mills said. “I appreciate Serenity Salon for taking the chance on me.”
The sensory deprivation tank was delivered on March 3 and became available to the public by March 7.
“We have been steadily booked ever since,” Mills said.
The goal is to open a second location in West Ocean City during the summer that would include a salt cave, where people can lay back in chairs and breathe in the salt.
“There is salt on the walls and floors,” Mills said. “Salt is a good relief for upper respiratory diseases.”
Ocean Elements Salt Spa and Float Center in Serenity Salon on Manklin Creek Road in Ocean Pines is open Monday through Friday from 4:30-9 p.m., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Call 410-463-0857 to schedule an appointment. Package deals, memberships and gift cards are also available.
“You sleep so much better after you float,” Mills said. “The relaxation effect lasts about 48 hours.”
Additional information is available at www.oceanelements.life or email info@oceanelements.life.
“You can’t tell where your skin ends and the water begins,” owner Jeanne Mills, said. “It is quite an experience to offer the community and Eastern Shore.”
Floaters lay naked on their backs in a 200-gallon water pod filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, which is kept at the skin-neutral temperature of 93.5 degrees, although it will vary throughout the session.
“It releases tension, dopamine and endorphins,” Mills said. “A session offers stress and pain relief. The objective is to lay in the water, relax, mediate and clear your mind.”
After shutting the pod door, all sounds from the outside world are gone. Patrons can choose a color light setting or unwind in total darkness and relax to calming music, bring their own meditative tracks or indulge in silence.
“It is totally up to the person having the experience,” Mills said.
A welcome message begins each session, which are generally an hour long. Ear plugs are provided.
“The dissolved salt gives you a buoyancy and the feeling of floating on a cloud,” Mills said.
Afterwards, an exit message will play and clients are encouraged to take a shower, with all the necessities for bathing provided.
An appointment takes 90 minutes, including the hour-long session, but can be adjusted to be shorter or longer.
“The skin is the biggest organ in the body and Epsom salts absorb magnesium, which helps with nutrient balance,” Mills said.
Floatation spa therapy has been used to relieve chronic pain, anxiety and stress in addition to helping clients recover from injuries, PTSD and addictions, she said.
“There are a lot of good benefits and it is a more natural alternative for chronic pain management,” Mills said. “This is something I am passionate about. I have been a nurse [for more than 20 years] and I really believe in this.”
Mills discovered a salt spa when she was celebrating her anniversary with her husband during an October trip to Williamsburg, Virginia.
“We were looking for something different to do and came across a salt spa,” Mills said. “We loved it. The first thought out of my head was I have to have one of these and it would be wonderful to bring it to my community. There is nothing around here similar. You would have to go to Williamsburg or Annapolis.”
After doing research online, the couple found Superior Float Tanks, a manufacturer in Norfolk, Virginia.
“Michelle [O’Ferrall] had space available and we approached her in November,” Mills said. “I appreciate Serenity Salon for taking the chance on me.”
The sensory deprivation tank was delivered on March 3 and became available to the public by March 7.
“We have been steadily booked ever since,” Mills said.
The goal is to open a second location in West Ocean City during the summer that would include a salt cave, where people can lay back in chairs and breathe in the salt.
“There is salt on the walls and floors,” Mills said. “Salt is a good relief for upper respiratory diseases.”
Ocean Elements Salt Spa and Float Center in Serenity Salon on Manklin Creek Road in Ocean Pines is open Monday through Friday from 4:30-9 p.m., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Call 410-463-0857 to schedule an appointment. Package deals, memberships and gift cards are also available.
“You sleep so much better after you float,” Mills said. “The relaxation effect lasts about 48 hours.”
Additional information is available at www.oceanelements.life or email info@oceanelements.life.