Joey & Grace La Penna
Seeking for a more peaceful lifestyle than they could find in New York City, Joey and Grace moved to bucolic New Paltz. This some twenty years after Joey graduated with a BA in Theater Arts from SUNY New Paltz. Soon after they relocated upstate, Joey and Grace were introduced to floatation therapy and their lives were transformed. Joey has an artistic background and has worked in film and television for years; floatation therapy was a revelatory discovery for him as a way to balance both hemispheres of the brain and find a more creative focus. Grace has an accomplished background in yoga, including a 500-hour teacher certification in vinyasa from Laughing Lotus NYC. She furthered her studies in restorative practice with Judith Lasater. Grace found similar restorative benefits with floatation therapy. Individually and as a couple, Joey and Grace were so profoundly affected by the therapy, they realized it was their mission to bring it to more people. Their passion for floatation therapy and their altruistic desire to share it with their community, led the couple to open the 1st floatation center in the Catskill region and the Hudson valley. On July 4th 2016 Joey & Grace welcomed their daughter Nai’a into the world.
History of Mountain Float Spa
In 1954, the first floatation tank was built by John C. Lilly. He was interested in how the brain would react to a sensory free environment. What he soon realized was that people were exiting feeling phenomenal and reporting personal discovery and self-actualization. Not until 1972 did Lilly partner with Glenn and Lee Perry who then worked together to create the well-known ‘Samadhi’ tank. During the 80’s, floatation therapy took off, the Float Tank Association was formed and the term REST was coined (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy.) By the mid 80’s, the industry was hit hard with the AIDS epidemic and people’s fears of spas and pools put an end to most floatation centers. It was not until the 2000’s that floating began to make a comeback. With the industry rapidly growing, most floatation centers have opened within the last three years.
First Time Guests
Here are a few things you will want to know before you arrive for your floatation appointment.
How to Prepare
- For your first visit orientation and to ensure you receive the full hour floatation session, please arrive 10-15 minutes early.
- Try to schedule your appointment at a time when it is easiest for you to relax, similar to a time when you would book a massage. Any physical activity, such as yard work, working out, etc. prior to your appointment will enhance your overall experience.
- In the event you have showered just before you arrive, it is still required before entering the spa. All deodorant, hair products, body lotions, makeup, perfumes and colognes must be removed prior to floating.
- The salt water will not harm colored or treated hair, however, we ask that you wait 48 hours after your treatment so as not to contaminate the spa water.
- Please refrain from suntanning or spray tanning sessions prior to floating.
- If you have large cuts or open wounds, are experiencing an illness, or it is during your menstrual cycle, please contact us so we may advise you properly.
- It is best not to have a big meal or any caffeine within two hours of your scheduled appointment. You should avoid caffeine even longer before your appointment if you are sensitive to it.
- Do not shave for at least 4-6 hours before your float, as the highly salted water will sting. If you have any small cuts or scratches, we provide liquid band aid to cover those up.
- Audio music, towels, shampoo, soap, and earplugs are provided for you. You will have your own personal spa suite with floatation spa, shower and dressing area. Our facilities are limited for those wanting to do hair and makeup before an evening out, so please let us know if you need extra time.
- You may bring the following with you: iPod (soothing, relaxing, or meditative music only), an exfoliating pad or glove, cases for contact lenses, a hair brush or comb and a change of clothes. A swimsuit is not recommended, as the density of salt will make it uncomfortable.
We have a limited number of appointments each day and schedule two hours for every one hour session. This time allows us to orientate new clients and also gives everyone a calm and peaceful environment. However, we adhere to a very strict cleaning policy of 30 minutes to prepare the spa suite for the next client, so we ask that you not linger in your suite after your float.