Hidden Gems: Meet Zane Ritter of Float Horizen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zane Ritter.

Hi Zane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The concept of Float Therapy has been around for over 60 years. Over the past decade, Float Therapy has really been acknowledged as a natural approach to dealing with stress, physical injuries and also giving oneself a sense of quiet and peace.

I have always had a strong interest in the inner workings of the human body and in particular the brain. Studying psychology and biology in college really helped peak my interest in Float Therapy after reading research papers about Float Therapy and how it can be used to treat recover from concussions. I also learned that there were many things still unknown about this form of therapy but was very interested nonetheless.

After graduating from college, I was left with the feeling of “What’s next?” After experiencing the wonders of Float Therapy for myself and many discussions with family, we decided to open a Float & Massage Spa here in Nashville. Nashville, TN is my hometown and I knew the community could benefit from having a place to go relax, recharge, and recalibrate. We opened our doors in late 2017 and have had a wild ride ever since!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles have been primarily educating the community about all the great benefits to Float Therapy because it is still a fairly new concept to a lot of people. Also, our neighborhood was devastated by the March 2020 Tornado and shortly after the coronavirus pandemic, which we had to shut down for about 2-months. We are fortunate to still be here with the great support of our “Zen” community!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Float Horizen?
At our spa we specialize in Float Therapy and Massage. We have four float tanks that include the Dreampod and Wave Rooms. The overall experience is the same in any of our tanks, but the size and shape are different. The float tanks contain around 1000 pounds of Epsom salt in the water, which allows your body to float effortlessly, much like being in zero gravity. The water is kept at 93.5 degrees allowing you to lose track of where your body ends and the water begins. The tanks are insulated against sound so outside noises do not reach you. In this environment, your thoughts are free to wander without distraction, your muscles and connective tissues begin to unwind, joints are supported and relax, and your lower back begins to decompress and align. Your mind and body gets to rest, de-stress, and heal. After the float session is over, you will feel renewed and ready for whatever life throws your way.

Each float room has a shower area, a place for personal items and includes everything you will need for a great floating experience, including bathrobes, slippers, towels, and earplugs. For the full “distraction-free experience,” it is recommended that there is no sound, light, etc. while floating. However, relaxing music can be requested and played in the tank as well as the option to have a light on inside.

We have the ONLY Wave Rooms in Nashville, TN. They are more spacious and provide an exceptional float experience for those who may be claustrophobic and want more space. We also offer Massage Therapy which complements all the great benefits of Floating! It can be a standalone service or done along with Float Therapy.

We are proud to be the only Float Spa in East Nashville and to offer our community a place to escape their day-to-day reality and focus on themselves for an improved mental and physical state!

Monthly “ZEN Club” Memberships are available for just floating and also have a float+massage option as well. To get the most benefit out of Floating, it is recommended to do it at least once a month. The more you float, the more benefit you will get!

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Floating for the first time will not be anything like you can imagine. That’s okay because it’s impossible to go in with no expectations. Just remember, one thing you can expect for sure is that you will leave the tank feeling relaxed.

Make sure a towel is easily accessible near the tank in case you get water in your eyes. There is nothing worse than scratching an annoying itch on your face only to get water in your eyes! Do not think about time. Worrying your session is about to end or wondering how long you’ve been in only subtracts from the experience. You will receive an auditory or visual notification letting you know your session is over.

Focus on breathing. Just like meditation, focusing on breathing can help you relax. Try placing hands above head, out to sides, crisscrossed over the chest to find your most relaxed position. The more times you float, the less time it takes to get “in the zone” during future floats. Use the provided vaseline to cover cuts or scratches. Ever heard the idiom “to rub salt in a wound?” Because of the salt in the tank, forgetting to cover cuts brings that idiom to life in a float tank. Try floating both with and without the foam neck pillow. Some find neck support helps relaxation.

Pricing:

• 60 min Float Therapy $64
• First Time Float Offer $59 (promocode: firstfloat59)
• Unplug Package 60 min Float + 60 min Massage $149

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: floathorizen.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/floathorizen
• Facebook: Facebook.com/floathorizen