I had the great opportunity to try the services at Cloud-9 Float & Wellness in Jamaica Plain, MA for free in exchange for an honest review. I hope you get the chance to visit Cloud-9!
About Cloud-9 Float & Wellness
Located on a corner of a main street in Jamaica Plain sits Cloud-9 Float & Wellness, a business you can miss if you don’t look up while driving by. This family run business is warm and welcoming as soon as you enter.
On my first visit while experiencing the infrared sauna, I met owner and founder, Angie Sa’Ponte Vella. We got to chat about self-healing strategies and how they have worked for us personally. While chatting, I tried the PEMF treatment, which was a really unqiue sensation.
On my second visit, I met the other owner and founder and son of Angie, Alexander Sa’Ponte. He was helpful in educating me on the basics of floating, since it was my first time. Both founders were extremely knowledgeable for a beginner like me!
The Infrared Sauna at Cloud-9
This was my first infrared (or any) sauna experience, and I really enjoyed the whole process. Angie recommended staying in for at least 45 minutes, but getting out when I felt I had enough. I did stay for 45 minutes and hope with repeated visits I will work up to an hour!
I removed my shoes and put on blue sandals they provide before entering. In my room was a cute personal-sized sauna and a large standing shower with some amenities. The room itself was very clean and even cozy! I felt pampered having the whole thing to myself.
Angie gave me an overview of using the sauna, and this is what I learned:
- I stuck to the regular settings, but there is the ability to choose a set program that is designed to target a specific goal, such as weight loss, detoxification, relaxation, pain relief, cardio, skin health, or a custom one.
- I could choose a different color light in the sauna which is also geared for a specific purpose. This is called Chromotherapy. This is based on the science of using colors as a way to adjust frequencies in the body. I think this is FASCINATING.
- Angie suggested I crack open the door if I got too hot, and I did this once as a short break from the heat.
- I could have my phone and water in there with me, both of which I was happy to have!
- She supplied towels to sit on and/or use to absorb the sweat, which I recommend so you don’t reabsorb what you are detoxifying.
I wasn’t sure if I would love the heat, but I felt so good in there! It was especially reassuring knowing I could open the door or get out if I wanted to. I was pretty sweaty after, which I deemed a success.
When I was done, I used the shower a few feet away to wash away the sweat and impurities. They even have a hair dryer!
I felt so refreshed, clean, and energized, despite having such sat in 145°F sauna for 45 minutes! I walked out in a great mood and I plan on visiting Cloud-9 at least once a month.
Floating at Cloud-9
On my second visit at Cloud-9 I tried floating, another trending wellness technique that is actually not new at all!
I first watched a short video about what it is like to float and tips for the best experience.
Again, I wore the blue sandals into the floating room. As you’ll see in the photo, the pod is like a big tub, filled with several inches of water and a lot of epsom salt. You put in ear plugs, shower to clean yourself, and then get ready to float! You definitely want to shut off the main light, but turning off the glowing blue light as well as closing the top fully or partially is up to you.
I left the blue light on and the top open. Being my first time floating, I was a little nervous and unsure of what to expect and the thought of closing the top scared me. The more I float, the more comfortable I will be and open to trying a closed top and no light.
The point is to get into a meditative state and relax while the session does its healing work on you. Being accustomed to holding my head up in bodies of water, I did that, and then remembered I would be supported by the salt water. It was a really cool feeling to experience the salt water holding me up.
At first, my mind was buzzing about this new experience. As I got more comfortable I felt I could fully relax by the midpoint of my session.
When you’re done the water gently bubbles out and you are welcome to stretch out to get the last out of the session before taking another shower to wash the salt off. It’s stated on their website that people generally feel like the session goes by quickly, and I completely agree! I would have guess I had been in the pod for 30 minutes when my 60 minute session was done.
Floating was a completely new experience for me but I am still so intrigued by it. I am excited to see how I feel as I become more comfortable and get into a deeper meditative state!
Will you try it?
What do you think? Will you try floating or an infrared sauna! I hope this post answered some questions you may have about these experiences. I am so grateful for Cloud-9 Float & Wellness for offering these services to me I. I am excited to make this part of my wellness routine!
