The surge in cold plunges and contrast therapy isn’t slowing down—and for good reason. It’s one of the most accessible, affordable ways to make a real impact on your health and overall wellness. Water therapy has been around for centuries, spanning cultures and continents, embraced in one form or another by nearly every corner of the world. It’s also a perfect winter activity. Whether you journey with a friend or charter a solo course, Float Valley is Markham’s established destination for water therapy.
Float Valley Brings Hydrotherapy to Markham
Open since 2017, Float Valley has been setting trends in longevity and bio-hacking since it opened. Offering more than just water-based treatments, FV aims to extend its menu beyond plunges and saunas. Dubbing itself a ‘Human Optimization Center’ is a mighty title. But, considering some of its services and the popularity of longevity treatments, the claims have some merit.
Like the neuroVIZR™. This device promises to improve mental health, sleep and cognitive abilities, using a combination of light and sound. Or the Energy Enhancement System (EE System) that generates multiple bio-active life-enhancing energy fields, including “scalar waves” that promote cellular health.
The Therapeutic Side of Floating
While the lure of high-tech holistic healing was tempting, I trekked up to Markham for Float Valley’s Couples Float, a private tank for two that mimics The Dead Sea. Using a floating head pillow and ear buds, you naturally bob, encapsulated in a Mork and Mindy-esque pod. The ceiling is programmed for a starry night experience or deep dark sky, creating a cocoon-like feeling.
I was a little worried I would be claustrophobic, but it’s actually quite roomy, with a dome-like roof. The private room has a shower for pre-bathing. The water in the tank is warm, the exact temperature of your body, and the texture is slightly granular because of the magnesium and Epsom salts. The one-hour session leaves you feeling completely blissed out. If you can make it through the entire hour, that is. I felt fidgety and ended up flaking out at the 40-minute mark.
My partner, however, fell asleep! The gentle caress of the water proved to be just the tonic for his stressed-out system. I felt like 40 minutes was sufficient for my mood. We both benefited, but obviously, the longer you can absorb the minerals, the better.
And germaphobes need not worry. The heavily salted water is naturally antibacterial, plus the water passes through a UV filter and uses hydrogen peroxide to disinfect, too.
Your Own Contrast Therapy Rooms Maximize Wellness
We also tried out the private Fire & Ice treatment, bringing sauna, cold plunge and red ligth therapy together, in one space. Sauna sessions, especially in winter, are just bliss. And here, the cycle promotes intensive healing. Muscle relaxation, stress relief, improved skin; red light therapy is popular for a reason. It actually works. It’s a simple add-on with enormous potential benefits.
The cold plunges are kept to a brisk, but fair, 3-9 degrees Celsius. The suggested cycle is 15 minutes in the sauna, followed by a one-minute shower in tepid water. Then it’s two minutes of cold plunging before five minutes under red light. Repeat up to three times per session.
It’s a great space for couples or girlfriends to enjoy all to themselves.
Other Treatments at Float Valley Include…
Float Valley also offers a slew of other wellness programming, including buzzy IV Drips to vanquish all irregularities, NeuroSomatic Integration, Quantum Wellness and more traditional treatments like Reiki and acupuncture. The format here is an invitation. You can dip your toe into bio hacking and wellness, without the audience of Othership. You don’t need formal training to embrace the feel-good setup of your own private sauna, either.
Prices are decent, with a private 2-person Fire & Ice session starting at $100 for a full hour.
Find Float Valley at 5261 Hwy 7 C102, Markham, Ontario and follow them @floatvalley
All images by Libby Roach.