The Floatation tank and the Musician

Much has been written about the therapeutic qualities of using floatation pods. The isolation can centre the mind, induce deep relaxation and heighten the senses through reduced sensory stimulation. But why does it enhance creativity? 

Here’s what happened when some jazz musicians immersed themselves in the realms of the floatation pod to give themselves a creative boost and increase good technique use. But did it work?

Back in 2011 professors from the Universities of Toronto and British Columbia thought they’d find out if an hour in a floatation tank would have any effect on jazz students who had already spent a full day sweating lbs over their instruments.

The researchers found “a significant difference between the treatment and comparison groups on technical ability, but not on any other dimension”. Thanks to this enhancement of skill level, those who had floated “had significantly higher grades in their jazz improvisation class than the comparison group.”

The results of the studies led by Oshin Vartanian and Peter Suedfield found that one hour per week (over the test period of 4 weeks) boosted the technical agility and ability in the group.  The outcome suggested that limited periods of minimal sensory stimulation could well improve an individual’s skills.

So Epsom salts does mix with a good dose of saxophone noodling.

To read more about the study visit: http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/flotation-isolation-boosts-musicians-skill-level-31182