Videos

Each Float Conference we put on is full of so much excellent float information that we simply have to put it all up online, in its entirety, for free. Below you will find presentations from the 2012-2018 conferences.

Videos from the 2019 event will be uploaded one at a time in the months following the Conference. We’ve uploaded some of the speaker’s slides so that you can review the information while we edit the videos.

If you’d like to be notified when videos from 2019 are released, you can subscribe to our youtube channel, or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Enjoy!

2018 Videos

The Future of the Float Conference - Ashkahn Jahromi & Graham Talley | Float Conference 2018

Ashkahn and Graham are two of the founders and organizers of this Float Conference. They have been putting on this event for seven years and decided that this 2018 event would be their last, electing to instead turn the conference into an industry run non-profit. In this talk, they explain their reasoning and their vision for the event moving forward.

Floating and the Immune System - Flux | Float Conference 2018

Flux is a researcher that has been studying the mechanisms involved in the immune system. In this talk from the 2018 Float Conference, Flux breaks down the biochemical process that happens as we enter the fight or flight stage and how it triggers an immune response. He also presents some of the first data showing how floating might have an impact on this process.

Float Away Anxiety - Dr. Justin Feinstein | Float Conference 2018

Dr. Justin Feinstein is Director of the Float Clinic & Research Center at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. In this presentation from the 2018 Float Conference, Dr. Feinstein discusses how floating can desensitize the anxious nervous system, including in patients with PTSD, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, and Generalized Anxiety. The data presented has recently been publis...

Should We Worry about Germs in Float Tanks? - Roy Vore | Float Conference 2018

Dr. Roy Vore is a microbiologist and expert in recreational water illness. He has spent his career studying how people get sick in pools and spas, and has recently turned his eye towards float tanks. In this talk Roy lays out a foundation of how microbiologists asses potential health risks, and delves into how the unique environment in a float tank changes a lot of our assumptions about the likel...

Zerobody Dry Floatation - Gernot Seebacher | Float Conference 2018

-- This is a sponsored presentation -- Gernot Seebacher speaks at the 2018 Float Conference about Dry Floating, a floatation device with similar weightlessness effects to float tanks, but with a membrane between you and the warm water. Gernot talks about the benefits of dry floating, and shows the dry floatation system that his company, Zerobody, manufactures. Go to www.zerobody.it for more inf...

Personal Float Story - Murphy Monroe | Float Conference 2018

Murphy Monroe is a floater that has found profound benefit from spending time in a float tank. He speaks at the 2018 Float Conference about how floating has helped him with verbal and physical ticks that are prevalent in his life.

The Art and Science of Modern Business - Gloria Morris | Float Conference 2018

Gloria Morris is the owner of Float Sixty, a float center that currently has three locations in the greater Chicago area. Gloria works to make the world of float center marketing quantifiable by sharing the metrics, methodology, and tools she uses to market Float Sixty.

Welcome Speech - Ashkahn Jahromi | Float Conference 2018

Ashkahn Jahromi welcomes everyone to the 2018 Float Conference.

The Lost Art and Science of Breath - James Nestor | Float Conference 2018

James Nestor is an author, science journalist, and avid floater. In this talk he shares his research and findings from the newest book he is working on all about the science of breath and the impact it has on the human body.

Personal Float Story - Brian Kroll | Float Conference 2018

Brian Kroll discovered floating in 2017 and has been an avid floater ever since. He has lived with severe chronic pain for many years, and floating is one of the only things that he has found that provides him with relief. He speaks here at the 2018 Float Conference to share his story.

Personal Float Story - Jennifer Langdon | Float Conference 2018

Jennifer Langdon credits floating with being a transformative experience in her life. She had lived with chronic pain and near constant stress for years until she decided she needed to make some big changes. In trying out a range of alternative modalities she came across floating, and she was hooked from her first float. She shares her experience at the 2018 Float Conference.

Flotation Therapy Association of China - Peicheng Hu | Float Conference 2018

Dr. Peicheng Hu is the president of the newly formed Flotation Therapy Association of China. He was also one of the first researchers to study floatation in China, helping setup one of the first float tanks in the country after discovering floating on a trip to New York in 1991. Dr. Hu speaks at the 2018 Float Conference about the recent growth of the float industry in China and the unique aspect...

Floatation, Flow, and Wellbeing - Poonacha Machaiah | Float Conference 2018

Poonacha Machaiah is co-founder with Deepak Chopra of JIYO, a social wellbeing platform and Chief Strategy Officer of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing. He speaks at the 2018 Float Conference about where floating fits into the paradigm of a greater mindfulness practice, and how floating can take you into the flow state.

Floating and Personal Identity - Juliet Tango Mylan | Float Conference 2018

Juliet Mylan is the resident Float Historian at Float Tank Solutions. She joined the team in 2016 right before they went on a cross-country Float Tour of float centers. In her talk, she shares how floating helped her come out to herself and start transition as well as deal with the fallout from her family, causing her marriage to crumble, and facing harassment in society. A content warning for t...

The Magic and Mess of Chasing Floatation Physiology - John Turner | Float Conference 2018

Dr. John Turner is a professor of physiology at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, and one of the world's first researchers of the floatation tank. Dr. Turner speaks about the early days of float research, starting in 1979 when he set up a float tank for study with his researcher partner Tom Fine. He shares some stories from their early lab, and gives an overview of the data they produ...

Increasing Repeat Business: Lessons from the Wine Industry - Cindy Molchany | Float Conference 2018

Cindy Molchany works in online marketing, and has spent many years on marketing within the wine industry. In particular, she has focused on loyalty marketing through the formation of wine clubs. She speaks at the 2018 Float Conference to share her insights on how to create a strong and sustainable membership base for your float center.

How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything - Kevin McCulloch & Jacob Resch | Float Conference 2018

Kevin McCulloch and Jacob Resch are the founders of the Float STL float centers and the RISE Float Gathering, a float industry event that takes place each year in their hometown of St. Lous. They speak at the 2018 Float Conference to share the insights they have learned from running their float centers, focusing on how they engage with their customers and their staff. They go into detail on their...

Comparing Altered States and Quantum Effects in Floaters - Horace Walcott | Float Conference 2018

Dr. Horace Walcott is a zoo veterinarian, yogi scientist, and psychophysiology. He speaks at the 2018 Float Conference to present the data from his recently completed study comparing altered states of consciousness between expert and novice floaters.

What’s in a Name? - Glenn & Lee Perry | Float Conference 2018

Glenn and Lee Perry are the founders of the Samadhi Tank Company, the first manufacturer of floatation tanks. Glenn and Lee speak at the 2018 Float Conference about the development process that led to them designing the first float tank, and their experience in the float industry over the last many decades.

Float, Flow, and Neurotechnology - Ricardo Gil-da-Costa | Float Conference 2018

Having worked with the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies on neurophysiology, Dr. Ricardo Gil-da-Costa went on to co-found Neuroverse, Inc., a neurotechnology company that has created a waterproof and minimally invasive EEG brain sensor that is used in float research facilities like LIBR to gather data on people while they are floating. Dr. Gil-da-Cos...

Welcome to Float Church - Stephen Johnson | Float Conference 2018

Stephen Johnson is a poet, philosopher, boxer, dancer, fascial anatomist, and psychiatric nurse. He speakers at the 2018 Float Conference to take everyone to "Float Church." With the float experience as the access point, Stephen explores spirit as an aspect of self and its emplacement at the crossroads of the scientific, the spiritual, the ecological, the philosophical, and the artistic.

2017 Videos

Duncan Trussell Family Hour - Float Conference 2017

Special thanks to Pro Float (http://www.profloatinc.com) for making this appearance possible! This is a special recording of the Duncan Trussell Family Hour Podcast with guest, Christopher Ryan (Author of Sex At Dawn, Host of the Tangentially Speaking Podcast) from the 2017 Float Conference in Portland, Oregon. Duncan and Chris talk about going off the grid, floating, swimming in rivers, and w...

Lydia Caldwell - Float Conference 2017

Lydia Caldwell is a researcher for Ohio State University, and has worked with the Air Force Research Lab in collaboration with their STRONG program, a program focused on enhancing human performance and recovery, conducted through the 711th Human Performance Wing. They have recently started to incorporate float tanks into their research, and Lydia speaks at the 2017 Float Conference to discuss the...

Bob Mangine - Float Conference 2017

Bob Mangine has worked in sports science for many decades, and is currently working with sports recovery at the University of Cincinnati. He has been Air Force Research Lab's STRONG program to run research on how floating affects his student athletes, and speaks at the 2017 Float Conference to share the results.

Stephen Johnson - Float Conference 2017

Stephen Johnson is a long time speaker at the Float Conference. He joins the event in 2017 to speak on the experience behind the float, sharing insights he has received from various members of the float community.

Jason MacDonald - Float Conference 2017

Jason MacDonald is a health regulator from Alberta, Canada. He has become very involved in float tanks for several years, and is one of the most informed members of public health on how floating does and doesn't fit into regulations. Jason speaks at the 2017 Float Conference about assessing the risk floating has on public health, and also assessing the risk regulations can have on floating. He al...

Glenn and Lee Perry - Float Conference 2017

Glenn and Lee Perry are the creators of the Samadhi tank, the first commercial float tank ever created . The speak at the 2017 Float Conference about the lessons they've learned from their 44 years of interactive with people after they float, as well the lessons they have brought with them from John Lilly, the inventor of the float tank.

Funny Float Center Stories - Float Conference 2017

Float center owners hop on stage at the 2017 Float Conference to share some ridiculous stories from running their float centers.

Colin Stanwell-Smith & Peter Marsh - Float Conference 2017

Colin Stanwell-Smith is a co-founder of the Floataway manufacturing company. He has teamed up with Peter Marsh and together they make a number of new announcements at the 2017 Float Conference, including a brand new inflatable float tank, a float room air circulation system, and a new branch of their business located in the United States.

Graham Talley & Ashkahn Jahromi - Float Conference 2017

Graham and Ashkahn are two of the organizers of the Float Conference, and the owners of Float On, a float center in Portland, Oregon. They give a talk at the 2017 Float Conference about the steps necessary to bring stability to the running of your float center. Live illustrations on stage provided by Kathryn Sullivan from Float Tank Solutions.

Nick Dunin - Float Conference 2017

Nick Dunin is one of the founders of Beyond REST, a float center with locations across Australia. Holding a background in running an online marketing agency, he speaks at the 2017 Float Conference about how being genuine with your marketing is the key towards building a sustainable business with your float center. You'll also learn about a few marketing strategies for growing your float tank c...

Sahib Khalsa - Float Conference 2017

Sahib Khalsa is a researcher at the Float Clinic and Research Center, part of the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. In this talk from the 2017 Float Conference, he presents his findings from a safety study conducted in their lab testing the effects of floating on people with anorexia nervosa.

Ashkahn Jahromi (Welcome Speech) - Float Conference 2017

Ashkahn Jahromi, one of the organizers of the Float Conference, welcomes everyone to the 2017 event.

James Ramsey - Float Conference 2017

James Ramsey runs Superior Float Tanks, a manufacturing company that makes multiple different models of float tanks in both pod and cabin style. James joins the stage at the 2017 Float Conference to give a brief update on how he started Superior and how excited he is to see the float industry grow. https://superiorfloattanks.com/ Sponsored Talk.

Sandeep Prakash - Float Conference 2017

Sandeep Prakash was voted in to speak at the 2017 Float Conference. He is a Ph.D. candidate at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and speaks on our reaction to dealing with emotional trauma, both in and out of float tank, through the lens of Jungian philosophy.

Logan Skees - Float Conference 2017

Logan Skees was one of the voted in speakers for the 2017 Float Conference. He is a veteran who has come back from Afghanistan and worked to develop a gym focused on helping veterans. He speaks about how floating has been an important tool in reacclimating to civilian life, and how he hopes to help other veterans through floating.

David Vobora - Float Conference 2017

David Vobora is a Retired NFL Linebacker and founder of the non-profit Adaptive Training Foundation. The Adaptive Training Foundation features a gym where David works with athletes of all types – professional, Olympic, collegiate, tactical forces and, especially, those with severe disabilities, including many military veterans, but also victims of catastrophic injuries and illnesses. David speaks...

Dr. Justin Feinstein - Floating with Anxiety/PTSD/Depression - Float Conference 2017

Dr. Justin Feinstein is Director of the Float Clinic & Research Center (FCRC) at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR). The FCRC’s mission is to investigate the effects of Floatation-REST on both body and brain, as well as explore its potential as a therapeutic treatment for promoting mental health and healing. Anxiety and depression are the two most common psychiatric conditions, affe...

2016 Videos

Gary Ferguson - Float Conference 2016

Gary Ferguson is the founder of Pathways for Veterans, an organization focused on helping veterans get help putting their life on track after returning from service. Pathways has started to incorporate float tanks into the tools his organization uses. Gary speaks at the 2016 Float Conference about his introduction into the float industry, and the impact the float tanks and the people in the indus...

Justin Feinstein - Float Conference 2016

Justin Feinstein is the head researcher of the Float Clinic and Research Center, a state of the art floatation research facility housed in the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. In this talk, Justin presents the results from the first fMRI study ever done on floatation.

Rick Doblin - Float Conference 2016

Rick Doblin is the founder of MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Rick speaks about his own history, and how John Lilly was one of his inspirations for creating MAPS in the first place. He goes on to share the work that MAPS is currently doing, and how floating could be complimentary to it.

Kevin Johnson - Float Conference 2016

Kevin Johnson is the owner of the Zero Gravity Institute, a float center and float tank manufacturer in Austin, Texas. Kevin describes the place spirituality has in both our lives as humans, and in relation to the float tank. He talks about the importance of valuing this, and how to integrate the floating, empiricism, and floatation.

Michael Harding and Bek Houghton - Float Conference 2016

Michael is an Australian veteran who was having very little luck with the conventional treatments prescribed for PTSD. It was not only affecting him, but hurting his partner, Bek, as well. Bek and Michael describe how they came across floatation in their search for alternative treatments, and the profound impact it's had on both of their lives.

Jim Hefner - Float Conference 2016

Jim Hefner is one of the founders of Just Float, the largest float center in the world. Just Float has 11 float tanks and is located in the Los Angeles area. Jim shares his story of opening Just Float, and his views on what will help the industry grow further.

Ricardo Gil-da-Costa - Float Conference 2016

Ricardo Gil-da-Costa is the founder of Neuroverse, a company that makes a wireless and waterproof EEG sensor that is being used for float research at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Ricardo speaks on experiments they've done with EEG brainwaves in the past, and reveals the first EEG data collected from someone floating at the float research facility in the Laureate Institute.

Graham Talley & Ashkahn Jahromi - Float Conference 2016

Graham and Ashkahn are two of the founders of Float On, and the organizers of this Float Conference. Leading up to this conference they went on The Float Tour, a three month road trip around the US and Canada where they visited as many float centers along the way as possible. Listen to them tell their tale of what they saw and what they learned on their journey. You can also see some of their jou...

Glenn Perry - Float Conference 2016

Glenn Perry, along with his wife, Lee, are the creators of the Samadhi tank, the first commercial float tank ever made. Glenn speaks at the Float Conference about what he learned from John Lilly about the float experience and how to appropriately interact with people after they come out of their float.

Peter Suedfeld - Float Conference 2016

Peter Suedfeld is one of the fathers of float tank and REST research. He speaks at the 2016 Float Conference on floating's effect on creativity, exploring what we know through scientific research, what we know through anecdote, and what we can attempt to deduce from looking into environments similar to floatation that have been mentioned by creatives throughout history.

Sahib Khalsa - Float Conference 2016

Sahib Khalsa is a researcher at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research which houses the Float Clinic and Research Center, the world's premiere float tank research facility. Sahib presents new data showing floating's effect on increasing interoception, the brain's sense of the internal body. He also shows some early information from a study on floating and anorexia that is currently underway at...

Jesse Ratner-Decle & Sean Lavery - Float Conference 2016

Jesse and Sean run Float Toronto, a five tank center in Toronto, Canada. Since the time they opened their doors in 2014 they've been keeping their tanks packed full. In this talk they share the marketing strategies they've been using to run a successful float center.

Kirsten Gerrish & Lena Kilic - Float Conference 2016

Kirsten and Lena run both a birth center and float center up in Alaska. They use floating to help their clients through their pregnancies with great results. Kirsten and Lena talk about the benefits floating can have for pregnant women, and discuss what risks may be associated with floating while pregnant.

Ashkahn Jahromi (Welcome Speech) - Float Conference 2016

Ashkahn welcomes everyone to the 2016 Float Conference... with a poem!

Colin Stanwell-Smith - Float Conference 2016

Colin Stanwell-Smith is the manufacturer of the Floataway tanks. In 2013 he was asked to make custom float tanks for the Float Clinic and Research Center, a state of the art float research facility that is part of the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Colin presents on the custom requirements the research center needed for their tanks, and some of the ways he went about developing them.

Stephen Johnson - Float Conference 2016

Stephen Johnson is a long time floater and explorer of inner space. He speaks at the 2016 Float Conference to philosophize about the float experience, and its impact on the human state.

Carly Jean - Float Conference 2016

Carly was part of a writer's program put on by Float On where writer's created poetry and short stories after spending time in a float tank. Carly presents one of her poems from that program.

Aleks Stefanova - Float Conference 2016

Aleks was part of a writer's program put on by Float On where writer's created poetry and short stories after spending time in a float tank. Aleks presents one of her poems from that program.

Sione Aechliman - Float Conference 2016

Sione was part of a writer's program put on by Float On where writer's created poetry and short stories after spending time in a float tank. Sione presents one of her poems from that program.

Float Sanitation Panel - Float Conference 2016

This panel discussion focuses on sanitation and regulations in float tanks, exploring what information we currently know about sanitation in the float environment, what areas still need more research, and what role regulations play in a field that is still developing. The panelists are: Jason MacDonald - A health regulator from Canada who has done extensive research into float tanks, and has hel...

Nick Janicki - Float Conference 2016

Nick Janicki is the founder of the float tank manufacturing company Float Pod Technologies, and of True REST, now the largest float franchise in the world. Nick talks about the expansion of True REST centers in the US, as well as some strategic partnerships with companies like LA Fitness. - Sponsored Talk -

Colleen Wohlrab - Float Conference 2016

Colleen Wohlrab is the lab manager at the Float Clinic and Research Center, a state of the art float tank research facility housed within the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Colleen discusses the different devices and sensors they use to take physiological measurements while people are floating, and presents some of the initial data they've gathered from them at the research lab.

Pete O'Brien - Float Conference 2016

Pete O'Brien is the founder of At Peace Floatation Spa in Texas, as well as the manufacturer of the At Peace Float Cabin. He joins the 2016 conference to share some of his insights on running a float center that offers massage as well, and to raffle off a free float tank to someone from at the conference! - Sponsored Talk -

Charlie Williams - Float Conference 2016

Charlie Williams is a historian at Birkbeck College, University of London, with Birkbeck’s ‘Hidden Persuaders’ project. His research into the popularization of the concept of brainwashing that emerged in the 50's and 60's led him to discovering sensory deprivation tanks and the work of John Lilly and Jay Surely. He speaks at the 2016 Conference on why sensory deprivation originally became associ...

Graham Talley (Closing Speech) - Float Conference 2016

Graham Talley, co-founder of Float On, Float Tank Solutions, and one of the organizers of this conference, brings the 2016 Float Conference to a close.

2015 Videos

Emily Noren Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief into to Emily Noren's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/DyPIekihs8g

Emily Noren - Float Conference 2015

Emily Noren used float tanks to recover from her eating disorder. She speaks at the 2015 Float Conference on her experience first finding floating, and how it helped her through her recovery. You can read Emily's book, Unsinkable, at: http://emilykatenoren.com www.floatconference.com

Peter Suedfeld Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Peter Suedfeld's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBglT842A7w

Peter Suedfeld - Float Conference 2015

Dr. Peter Suedfeld is one of the seminal researchers in floatation tanks and REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy). Peter gives a talk at the 2015 Float Conference about what benefits of floatation are backed by research, and which are still anecdotal. www.floatconference.com

Andy Zaremba Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Andy Zaremba's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0mLusPTO8Q

Nick Janicki Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Nick Janicki's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0mLusPTO8Q

Andy Zaremba and Nick Janicki - Float Conference 2015

Andy Zaremba and Nick Janicki run two of the largest float center businesses in the world, Float House and True REST, respectively. They spoke at the 2015 Float Conference about the marketing strategies that have worked well for them, and helped them grow to become the successful float centers they are now.

Ashkahn Jahromi (Welcome Speech) - Float Conference 2015

Ashkahn welcomes everyone to the 2015 Float Conference. www.floatconference.com

Ashkahn Jahromi & Graham Talley - Float Conference 2015

Graham and Ashkahn are two of the co-founders of Float On, Float Tank Solutions, Float Helm, Coincidence Control Publishing, and organizers of the annual Float Conference. Their talk explores how large, monumental projects in the world get accomplished, and how at the end of the day it really comes down to hard work, elbow grease, and uncompromising determination. Float On: http://floathq.com Fl...

Glenn and Lee Perry | US Float Tank Association - Float Conference 2015

Glenn and Lee Perry are the creators of the original commercial float tank, the Samadhi tank. They speak at the 2015 Float Conference about the US Floatation Tank Association and it's history with John Lilly.

Wallace J. Nichols Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Wallace J. Nichols' talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJj42se9Xj8

Wallace J. Nichols - Float Conference 2015

Wallace J. Nichols is the author of "Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do." (http://amzn.to/1THOSAD) He spoke at the Float Conference about the connection humans have with water, how important it is to our lives, and how floating can be a way for people to have that connection...

Glenn and Lee Perry | Samadhi - Float Conference 2015

Glenn and Lee Perry, creators of the very first commercial float tank, the Samadhi tank, take the stage at the 2015 Float Conference to discuss the benefits of people having float tanks in their homes.

Glenn and Lee Perry Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Glenn and Lee Perry's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeJa_ZT21iA

Glenn and Perry | Q&A - Float Conference 2015

Glenn and Lee Perry, founder sf Samadhi, the first float tank manufacturer, announce a new float tank they are developing and answer questions from the audience and the 2015 Float Conference.

Justin Feinstein Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Justin Feinstein's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/4IOwBs2TpYA

Justin Feinstein | Intro to Float Research - Float Conference 2015

Justin Feinstein is the head of the Float Clinic and Research Center, a dedicated float research facility housed in the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Justin introduces the work they've been doing and sets the ground for the data he and his colleagues presented at the 2015 Float Conference.

Sahib Khalsa Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Sahib Khalsa's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/Osoqygmeih4

Sahib Khalsa - Float Conference 2015

Sahib Khalsa is one of the researchers at the Float Clinic and Research Center, the largest float research facility in the world. Sahib presents on the subject of interoception, the brain's sensing of the internal workings of the body, and makes some predictions on how floating could potentially increase the bodies interoceptive abilities.

Kyle Simmons Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Kyle Simmons' talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/4LEvqj6BB00

Kyle Simmons - Float Conference 2015

Kyle Simmons is a researcher at the Float Clinic and Research Center, a dedicated float research facility located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kyle speaks about the insula, a region of the brain that seems to be a conduit for the brain's ability to sense the inner body, and a main component in the physical experience of emotion. He goes on to speak to how the float tanks seeming ability to boost this comm...

Justin Feinstein | fMRI data - Float Conference 2015

Justine Feinstein, the head researched at the Float Clinic and Research Center, presents the very first data gathered by the lab, including data from fMRI scans before and after people floated.

James Nestor Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to James Nestor's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/VfTAgP_8tqo

James Nestor - Float Conference 2015

James Nestor is the author of "Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves." He spoke at the 2015 Float Conference about how muting our 5 senses can heighten others, specifically our ability to intuit cardinal directions using the magnetic field of the Earth.

Jason MacDonald Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Jason MacDonald's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/x9RsgerElBQ

Jason MacDonald - Float Conference 2015

Jason MacDonald works for the Department of Health in Alberta, Canada, and is the head of the Alberta division of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. He spoke at the 2015 Float Conference about how he sees float tanks interacting with the health departments, and where they might (or might not) fit into health regulations.

Crash Hoefler Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Crash Hoefler's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/zZnW7JU-D7k

Crash Hoefler - Float Conference 2015

Crash is the owner of Float Lab, and has been manufacturing float chambers since 1999. He speaks at the 2015 Float Conference about his path towards discovering floating, how it has helped him, and his goals for the his manufacturing company.

Paul Reeves Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Paul Reeves' talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/jBmoXmS_RfM

Paul Reeves - Float Conference 2015

Paul works for the Washington State Department of Health, and has been leading the effort there to create a health department guideline specifically for floatation tanks. Paul speaks from the perspective of a health regulator, and talks about some of the hurdles of regulating a new industry. He gives some of his thoughts on how health departments and the float industry might be able to work toget...

Nick Janicki - Float Conference 2015

Sponsored Talk Nick Janicki is the founder of True REST, a float center franchise with locations across the US, and Float Pod Technologies, a manufacturer of float pods. He presents a video at the 2015 Float Conference showings what they have been up to at their headquarters in Arizona and their expansion across the United States.

Kevin Johnson Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Kevin Johnson's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/9F6eMLeZDMU

Kevin Johnson - Float Conference 2015

Sponsored Talk Kevin Johnson is the founder of the Zero Gravity Institute, a float center and float room manufacturer based out of Austin, Texas. Kevin talks about where the current state of the float industry, and expresses his gratitude for the group effort that has been put in to help the industry reach the level it is at today.

Rich Martin Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Rich Martin's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/YoFvlhnpyBY

Rich Martin - Float Conference 2015

Rich Martin works for NSF International, an organization that creates safety certifications for a variety of products. One of the products they are currently working on is a certification for floatation tanks. Rich explains a brief history of the NSF and their function, and gives an update on the current status of the NSF's float tank standard.

Marek Malůš Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Marek Malus' talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/sb3yLF8Xn4c

Marek Malůš - Float Conference 2015

Marek Malůš is a researcher from the Czech Republic that has been focusing on Chamber REST, or as it's known in the Czech Republic, Dark Therapy. Chamber REST involves spending long periods of time (several weeks) in isolation in a specially built completely dark house. Marek presents the basics of Dark Therapy, explains how it's been quickly gaining popularity as a commercial service in the Cze...

Arreed Barabasz Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Arreed Barabasz's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/ua4fgjPRL04

Arreed Barabasz - Float Conference 2015

Arreed Barabasz is researcher and professor at Washington State University, Pullman. He's responsible for large body of float and REST research, with a focus on increased athletic performance and increased susceptibility to hypnosis. He worked extensively with dry floatation, a device similar to a float tank but with the salt water contained in a membrane that you lie on. Arreed presents some of ...

Stephen Johnson Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Stephen Johnson's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/Byl7YdMq84g

Stephen Johnson - Float Conference 2015

Stephen Johnson is a structural integrator, a poet, a dancer, and teacher, and a float enthusiast. Stephen has been floating for many years, and speaks at the 2015 Float Conference about floatation as the ultimate tool for inner exploration.

Research Panel Trailer - Float Conference 2015

A brief intro to Tom Fine's talk at the 2015 Float Conference. Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/bXdyoX8F3cQ

Float Research Panel - Float Conference 2015

The top researchers in floatation got together at the 2016 Float Conference for a research panel. The panelists include: Justin Feinstein, head of the new Float Clinic and Research Center, the largest modern float research facility in the world. Peter Suedfeld, one of the seminal researchers in floatation, responsible for coining the term REST. Arreed Barabasz, head of one of the largest float...

Graham Talley - Float Conference 2015

Graham Talley is one of the founders of Float On, Float Tank Solutions, and organizers of the Float Conference. He takes the stage to give the farewell talk of the 2015 Float Conference, bringing the event to a close.

2014 Videos

Aubrey Marcus - Float Conference 2014

Aubrey Marcus, CEO of Onnit and creator of the Warrior Poet Blog and Podcast, presents at the 2014 Float Conference. Hear him talk about a wide range of medicinal therapies. www.floatconference.com

Rich Martin - Float Conference 2014

Rich Martin, a representative from NSF International, speaks at the 2014 Float Conference about a new standard the NSF is creating to certify float tanks. www.floatconference.com

Rich Martin Q&A - Float Conference 2014

Rich Martin, a representative from NSF International, speaks at the 2014 Float Conference about a new standard the NSF is creating to certify float tanks. This is the Question and Answer section immediately following his talk. www.floatconference.com

Justin Feinstein - Float Conference 2014

Dr. Justin Feinstein speaks at the 2014 Float Conference about his new float research lab in Tulsa Oklahoma, the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR). See more conference talks from previous years at: www.floatconference.com

James Nestor - Float Conference 2014

James Nestor, author of "DEEP: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves," speaks at the 2014 Float Conference about how the human body reacts to freediving in great depths of water, and about the animals that inhabit this space already.

Bob Crandall - Float Conference 2014

Bob Crandall has done decades of work in both drinking and pool water sanitation, and is responsible for first developing and popularizing the UV / Hydrogen Peroxide method of pool and spa sanitation. He presents at the 2014 Float Conference on the UV / H2O2 system, and talks about the data that helped him get it approved by over 50 pool and spa Health Departments across the United States and Can...

Glenn and Lee Perry - Float Conference 2014

Glenn and Lee Perry are the creators of the very first commercial float tank, the Samadhi tank. They worked directly with John Lilly in the 70's, and have been deeply involved in the float industry ever since. They spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about the fear that can sometimes come during someone's first float experience, and the benefits of working through it.

Jeffrey Bruno - Float Conference 2014

Jeffrey Bruno is a float tank / REST researcher, studying a range of neurological functions, but especially focusing on the Thalamus. He spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about the perception of pain, and about the mind's reaction to that specific sensory input.

Ashkahn Jahromi (Welcome Speech) - Float Conference 2014

Ashkahn Jahromi, one of the organizers of the Float Conference, welcomes everyone to the 2014 Conference! www.floatconference.com

Nick Janicki - Float Conference 2014

- Sponsored Talk - Nick Janicki is the owner of the True REST float center in Arizona, as well as Float Pod Therapies manufacturing. Nick has been in the float industry for years through running True REST, and has recently opened up his float center for franchising. Nick introduces and invites people into the True REST franchise at the 2014 Float Conference. www.truerest.com

Graham Talley & Ashkahn Jahromi - Float Conference 2014

Graham Talley and Ashkahn Jahromi are two of the organizers of this Float Conference, and two of the owners of Float On, a float tank center in Portland, Oregon. They spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about how running a business does not mean compromising on your ideals, and showed some big business structures and practices that can actually work to make the world a better place.

Pete O'Brien - Float Conference 2014

- Sponsored Talk - Pete O'Brien runs the At Peace Floatation Spa and float room manufacturing company based out of Texas. Pete spoke at the 2014 Float Conference present his new float room to the world. www.atpeacefloatationspa.com

Kirk Sullivan & Dante Jacuzzi - Float Conference 2014

- Sponsored Talk - Kirk Sullivan and Dante Jacuzzi have both been in the pool and spa industry for decades. Kirk runs San Juan Pools, which manufactures the FloatES tank. He came to the last conference to present his new tank to the world, and show off it's unique MicroSilk oxygenation created by Dante Jacuzzi's company, Jason International. www.floates.com

Tom Fine - Float Conference 2014

Tom Fine is one of the original float researchers, spending many years studying REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy). Tom, along with his colleague John Turner, is responsible for the data we have on floating's effect on Cortisol levels in the body. Tom spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about his past research and what he hopes for in the future of REST research.

Lauretta Young - Float Conference 2014

Lauretta Young has spent most of her life working within the medical industry. She's been in an administrative position in Kaiser Permanente, taught at both the Oregon Health and Science University and Portland State University, and was most recently appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Health Republic Insurance. Lauretta spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about where floating fits into the...

Stephen Johnson (Closing Talk) - Float Conference 2014

Stephen Johnson closes out the 2014 Float Conference by talking about float tanks as gateways to the "in-between". www.floatconference.com

Bob Crandall Q&A - Float Conference 2014

Bob Crandall is an expert in water sanitation, specifically the Hydrogen Peroxide and UV method of pool/spa sanitation, which he helped develop. This video is the Q&A following his talk at the 2014 Float Conference, which is also up online.

Jay Gunkelman - Float Conference 2014

Jay Gunkelman is one of the world's leading experts in EEG and biofeedback technology. In his early days of research, he started playing around with floatation tanks, and was one of the first researchers to take EEG readings on people while they were actively floating. He tells the story of his early research and its results at the 2014 Float Conference.

EJ Gold (Video) - Float Conference 2014

EJ Gold is an author, comedian, spiritual teacher, and much more. He co-wrote "Tanks for the Memories" with John Lilly, the inventor of the float tank. EJ Gold created this video specifically to be shown at the 2014 Float Conference.

Robert Schreyer - Float Conference 2014

Robert Schreyer runs Aspire, a float center and physical rehabilitation center in New York. He comes from a background of research and medicine, and ran a small study out of his own float center. He presented his results at the 2014 Float Conference, and explained the process for running a small research study, showing people that it can be easy to run small studies of their own to help build a f...

Stephen Johnson (Opening Talk) - Float Conference 2014

Stephen Johnson is a nurse practitioner, a fascial anatomist, a boxer, a poet, and a philosopher. He gave the introductory talk at the 2014 Float Conference to give everyone a breakdown of the exciting speakers that were presenting at the 2014 Conference.

Bertil Fanger - Float Conference 2014

Bertil Fanger has been working with float tanks for several decades, running a float center in Sweden, and even creating his own hand built float tanks. He spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about his own history and experience with floating throughout the years, and his views on the potential floating has for benefitting humankind.

David Conneely - Float Conference 2014

David Conneely runs iFloat, a float tank center in Connecticut, and teachers Float Facilitator courses which uses John Lilly's methodology from "Programming and Metaprogramming the Human Biocomputer" to help float center owners better understand how to interact with their clients. He spoke at the 2014 Float Conference about the stress that can be placed on float center operators from their client...

2013 Videos

Ashkahn Jahromi (Welcome Speech) - Float Conference 2013

Ashkahn Jaromi, co-founder of Float On, served as host and MC for the 2013 Portland Float Conference. With this welcoming introductory speech, it is obvious that his excitement for the event was rivaled only by the size of his mustache. As one of the owners of Float On here in Portland, Oregon, Ashkahn has amassed a huge body of knowledge on health departments and the way their regulations interac...

Justin Feinstein - Float Conference 2013

Justin Feinstein, a clinical neuropsychologist and researcher at California Institute of Technology, discusses the potential of float tanks in combating anxiety. In this interesting talk, he delves into the mentality of anxiety: its causes, its presence in modern society, and its unfortunate effects. With his experience treating patients, and his experiences of floating, Justin outlines his argume...

Glenn & Lee Perry - Float Conference 2013

Glenn Perry, along with his wife Lee, are some of the most well-known names in floating. Having worked with John Lilly to develop the Samadhi Tank, the first ever commercial float tank, they have long been established as leaders in the float tank community. Since the development of the first Samadhi Tank, Glenn and Lee have never stopped working to push the world of floatation forward with their ...

Peter Suedfeld - Float Conference 2013

Peter Suedfeld is one of the original researchers of float tanks and REST. He is the founding president of IRIS (the old float tank research association) and has published a number of cornerstone papers on Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy. In this presentation he outlines where REST fits in the world of scientific research, and lays out a path to get funded research for float tanks st...

Stephen Johnson - Float Conference 2013

Stephen W Johnson RN, LMP, CSP, BME, has worn many different hats over the years. Stephen has been in practice as a Psychiatric nurse and therapist for 27 years, and has conducted private practice as a Structural Integrator for 20 years. He was Resident Anatomist and core faculty at the Soma Institute for 12 years, specializing as a Fascial Anatomist. He is a Biosomatic Movement Educator, has been...

Peter Bell - Float Conference 2013

This was Peter Bell's second visit to the Float Conference, having given a presentation on the UK and Irish Float Tank Association in 2012. Enthralled with the conference and the floatation industry, he returned for the 2013 Portland Float Conference to discuss both his personal history into floating and the history of Floatworks, the largest float center in the world, and manufacturers of the iso...

Rod Borrie - Float Conference 2013

Rod Borrie is one of original researchers of floatation tanks and REST, even coining the very term REST itself. Dr. Borrie discusses his views on the potential clinical applications of floatation, and the future it can have as a potent tool in the field of medical care.

Anu Enok - Float Conference 2013

This video slideshow, delivered across the globe and presented at the 2013 Portland Float Conference, features narration by Anu Enok, member of the Swedish Floatation Association. With this presentation she discusses the attempts of the Swedish Floatation Association to integrate floatation therapy into the Swedish healthcare system. In this presentation she discusses their efforts to create a cer...

Chaz Rollins - Float Conference 2013

Chaz Rollins, student in Library Sciences at the University of Washington, discusses his efforts to bring float tanks to the environment of his passion, the public library. In this presentation, Chaz discusses the benefits libraries offer to society, and how float tanks might fit perfectly into an expansion of the idea of a library. Through discussing the history and his personal philosophies on ...

Mike Zaremba - Float Conference 2013

Mike Zaremba discusses The Float House, a newer float center in the Vancouver, BC area. In this presentation he discusses how The Float House came into being, and the various trials and tribulations they ran into along the way. He offers the business formula The Float House has used, stressing on creating a strong and active community of floaters who are passionate about their business and its' su...

Shoshana Leibner - Float Conference 2013

Unfortunately, in 2013 we lost an important member of the floatation community, Michael Hutchison, the author of The Book of Floating-one of the most influential books on floatation therapy. In this presentation, Shoshana, a good friend of Michael's, daughter of Glenn and Lee Perry, and long time floatation-enthusiast, reads Michael's obituary and shares a private note to honor him. A presentat...

Nick Janicki - Float Conference 2013

Nick Janicki and his team have been running True Rest, a float center in Tempe, Arizona, since 2009. In recent years they have been developing there very own float pod with their new venture, Float Pod Therapies. Nick introduces his team, tells his story of entering into the float world, and presents his new flagship float pod.

Arreed Barabasz - Float Conference 2013

Arreed Barabasz is one of the foremost float tank researchers. He's been doing research with REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) for several decades, and is responsible for a large body of float research that exists today. He is also a past president of IRIS, the old REST research association, and a significant contributor to the world of hypnosis research. He was at the 2013 Flo...

Briant Nierstedt - Float Conference 2013

Briant Nierstedt breaks down our brainwaves. Alpha, Beta, Delta, and of course, Theta. He talks about the different thoughts and behavior associated with each brainwave, and delves deeply into the Theta State, the brainwave state that is experienced while floating. Briant goes over some of the history of research into brainwaves and EEG, and talks about the history of Alpha-Theta training.

Dylan Schmidt and Sandra Calm - Float Conference 2013

Dylan and Sandra from the Float Shoppe share their insights on running a wellness center that includes float tanks. A presentation at the 2013 Float Conference. www.floatconference.com

2012 Videos

Ashkahn Jahromi (Welcome Speech) - Float Conference 2012

Ashkahn Jahromi, one of the founding members of Float On, and one of the hosts of the annual Portland Float Conference, delivers this short introductory speech to kick off the event. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Stephen Johnson - Bodily Alignment and its Effects on Psychology - Float Conference 2012

Stephen Johnson, expert in bodily alignment discusses fascia tissue, the connective tissue of our bodies, and how floatation therapy can help to soften this tissue, and how this affects our consciousness. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Peter E Suedfeld - History of Float Tanks - Float Conference 2012

Legendary R.E.S.T researcher Peter E. Suedfeld gives a presentation on the fascinating history of float tanks, and the science behind the medical and psychological benefits of floatation therapy. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Glenn & Lee Perry - In Pursuit of Nothing - Float Conference 2012

Glenn and Lee Perry, owners of the Samadhi Tank Company, partnered with John C. Lily, the father of float tanks, to be the first manufacturer of commercial float tanks. In this charming presentation, Glenn and Lee discuss the history of Samadhi, the evolution of float tank designs, the experience of floatation, and how floating has become to what it is today. Learn more about the next Float Confe...

Graham Talley - The Art of Selling Nothing - Float Conference 2012

Graham Talley, one of the founders of Float On (http://floathq.com) and Float Tank Solutions (http://floattanksolutions.com), gives this presentation on floatation centers as a unique business. Through discussions the history of Float On, he covers marketing tactics, the logistics of owning a float center, and how to embrace and engage your passion to spread the word about float tanks. Learn mor...

Anthony Natale - Gravity is Weird - Float Conference 2012

Anthony Natale centers this presentation on one topic, gravity. He discusses the energy of gravity, the untold effects of it shaping our physical and mental lives, and how the low-gravity environment of float tanks can allow our bodies and minds to do amazing things. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Fred Colley - Microbiology and Public Health - Float Conference 2012

Microbiologist Fred Colley traces the fascinating origins and development of microbiology and its' effects on public health, and through this history helps to demystify the chemicals involved with the sanitation and balance of the water in float tanks. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Jon Hart - Breathing and the Body - Float Conference 2012

As a professor at the massage school East-West University, Jon Hart discusses the physical process of breathing, centering on muscle and skeletal movements and presenting arguments about how the low-gravity environment of float tanks can ease the stress of this vital bodily function. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

David Conneely - Portland Float Conference 2012

David Conneely, one of the co-owners of iFloat float center in Connecticut, gives this captivating presentation at our 2012 Float Conference discussing his personal experiences and the ideas of Dr. John Lilly, the inventor of float tanks. David recounts how he and his customers have used floatation therapy and Lilly's ideas to better their lives, and discusses how others might be able to do the sa...

David Manfield - Floatation Therapy and PTSD - Float Conference 2012

Clinical psychologist David Manfield discusses his history with diagnosing and treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, its physical and psychological ,mechanisms, and how floatation therapy could be beneficial to treating and resolving PTSD. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Dan Elmer - On Epsom Salt - Float Conference 2012

Dan Elmer, co-owner of the San Francisco Salt Company, discusses the details of the Epsom salt grading system, and the differences between domestic and imported manufacturers. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Swedish Floatation Association - Float Conference 2012

A presentation on float tanks at the 2012 international Portland Float Tank Conference. www.floatconference.com Anu Enok & Catharina Jakobsson

Peter Bell - Spreading the Word of Floating - Float Conference 2012

Peter Bell gives a presentation on the U.K. and Irish Float Tank Association, and Float Works, the world's largest float tank center, offering this motivational speech on how to garnish support for floatation therapy, and offers tips on strengthen the floatation community by spreading the word. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Roderick Borrie - Fibromyalgia and Float Tanks - Float Conference 2012

Roderick Borries delves into the Fibromyalgia Project (http://fibromyalgiaflotationproject.com), where float centers around the world are contributing to research into fibromyalgia, a little understood muscle pain disease, and the potential of float tanks to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia suffering. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

US Float Tank Association - Float Conference 2012

A presentation on float tanks at the 2012 international Portland Float Tank Conference

Benjamin Tochtermann - Float Conference 2012

A presentation on float tanks at the 2012 international Portland Float Tank Conference.

Heather Stiles - Creating Change with Float Tanks - Float Conference 2012

Counselor Heather Stiles discusses her application of floatation therapy in encouraging change in people's lives. By using her own personal experiences, and referencing established academic principles for psychological change, she argues for the use of floatation therapy in counseling sessions. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Richard Bonk - Floating for Lucidity - Float Conference 2012

Richard Bonk discusses AWSIM, or Alternate Waking States Induction Method, a psychological mechanism which can induce different states of reality. With over thirty years of floating experiences, he discusses the successes of float tanks in inducing altered states such as lucid dreams. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Jon Hart - Breathing and the Body - Float Conference 2012

As a professor at the massage school East-West University, Jon Hart discusses the physical process of breathing, centering on muscle and skeletal movements and presenting arguments about how the low-gravity environment of float tanks can ease the stress of this vital bodily function. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com

Paul Levy - Recognizing the Dream Like Nature of Reality - Float Conference 2012

Paul Levy discusses his views on trauma and spiritual/psychologically awakening, referencing his own personal experiences, and his conception of the reality-dream state in which we all live. Learn more about the next Float Conference at: http://www.floatconference.com