PIONEER in floatation therapy in Ireland and Northern Ireland, Vivian McKinnon, was invited to present a talk on her new therapy technique at a global conference in Portland, Oregon.
The ‘Float Con’ Conference took place recently and brought together practitioners and specialists in floatation, pool and spa and many other similar techniques.
Vivian has a floatation therapy centre in Dundonald and combines floatation with other therapeutic techniques through her company Hydro-ease.
Her talk focused on RAFT – her Reconnection and Floatation Therapy – that combines floatation with the ‘Havening Technique’, amongst others.
The Belfast based practitioner said she was “delighted” to get the opportunity to bring her innovative RAFT technique to a global audience.
“This is an approach to remove the emotional drivers and triggers that hold us back in life, from a loss of motivation to a lack of resilience I support people to ‘wake up’ and live instead of just existing” she added.
Vivian’s approach is exclusive to Hydro-ease in Belfast and is delivered by Vivian herself who is a highly skilled, qualified and experienced therapeutic practitioner.
As well as her Belfast-based face to face work the reconnection therapy is also available and delivered all over the world via skype/zoom.
At Float Con Vivian had the opportunity to explain the details of Hydro-ease’s RAFT to a worldwide gathering of practitioners.
“To be able to explain the technique at Float Con was a delight and the reception was amazing,” said Vivian. “What we have developed at Hydro-Ease is a suite of therapies and techniques that help people in so many ways.
“Of these, RAFT with the Havening Technique, which I was introduced to by Paul McKenna, has so much potential, and is already proving its worth on a daily basis.”
RAFT sessions are available from Hydro-ease: 1-1 sessions can be engaged with at a time that suits both the practitioner and the guest.
While already an experienced therapist the chance to attend the annual Float Conference in 2016 cemented Vivian’s passion for the therapy.
“I was in awe of the organisation and planning that goes into this global event,” she said.
“And having just returned from the Float Con I can honestly say I am yet again blown away by this fantastic industry.”
While Vivian was delighted to be able to showcase RAFT and the havening technique she revealed there was many other opportunities.
“The whole weekend I listened with intent and absorbed the energy and enthusiasm of every speaker, everyone spoke with passion and evidence into why this industry is on the verge of a tipping point.
“We heard about the benefits of using floatation with anxiety, and how bloods taken before and after just one float was suggesting the huge potential in raising the immune system of people living with anxiety leading to a reduced heart-rate resulting in a reduction in anxiety.
“There were findings around evolution and why humans have crooked teeth explaining the lost art and science of breathing.”
The Floatation Therapy Association of China presented research being carried out in China and the growth of the industry over there, while a Microbiologist and water illness expert give his findings on respiratory, dermal and gastrointestinal risk of infectious diseases and how the risks ranged from close to zero to very, very close to zero.”
But for Vivian the most heart-warming story came from Juliet Tango Mylan who experienced a deep introspective moment while floating at Float On (hosts of the conference).
“Juliet revealed that floating helped her to realise that she wasn’t the gender she was assigned at birth, she spoke candidly and openly about the challenges with her transition and the unwavering love and support she received from the most open, honest and supportive community she found herself within providing her with clarity and purpose for the future.”
And, to follow on from the success at Float Con Vivian will be welcoming floatation consultant Johnny Rinaldo who is coming to the Northern Ireland from Portland for five months to share his knowledge and understanding of the industry from working at the epicentre of it for the several years.
For more information or to book a RAFT session go to hydro-ease.co.uk or email vivian at [email protected]
How does RAFT work?
This approach works by inviting the mind into delta wave, our deepest brain wave state where we store our root cause and core beliefs about ourselves, other people and the world in general, we then work together to identify and resolve/remove the experiences, decisions and belief that are preventing them from living the life they want, the guest them spends one hr in the float tank where, through the removal of gravity and external sensory stimulation, their mind is lifted into theta state. Theta is our natural learning and consolidation state to support the development of new and more resilient neural pathways based on self-exploration and renewed understanding.
CLIENT CASE STUDY
From client to manager – how Judith’s personal experience led her to heal and a job
When Judith Crozier was working through a series of health and personal issues Hydroease’s unique floatation and healing techniques gave her hope and years of physical pain and mental trauma were eased.
Vivian McKinnon’s RAFT (Reconnection and Floatation Therapy) technique, that combines floatation chamber and the Havening Technique as developed by the renowned Paul McKenna, was a revelation for Judith – who marks the first time as a revelation.
“It was a positive milestone in my life,” the 38-year-old explained. “I was overwhelmed and struggling to hold things together after relocating back home to restart my life after an abusive relationship.
“I was attending counselling which I found was re-traumatising me, so each weekend I generally crashed physically and mentally.
“That weekend was no exception so by the time arrived I was in a state, whilst crying Vivian reassured and enabled me and stop crying so I could float. Within minutes of being in the float cabin I felt calm, secure and loved the freedom of floating.”
For Judith the experience was life changing.
“I remember realising my muscles were so tight and letting go so they could relax. Later I was processing and visualising the problems I was struggling with and was aware that I wasn’t upset or worrying.
“I was so relaxed after my float that I sat smiling at everyone for about 30 minutes on the sofa in reception as I was just blissed out.”
Introduced to Hydroease and RAFT by her boyfriend Judith was so thrilled she ended up working, first as part-time helper in exchange for weekly ‘floats’ before eventually becoming Centre Manager.
But it was the health benefits that also have changed the Bangor woman’s life too.
“Previous physically and mentally I felt overwhelmed and knew I was struggling.
“As a child I had a compromised immune system. I was always health conscience, eating healthy, didn’t drink or smoke and kept myself physically active but would be physically ill at least once a month.
“I also struggled with consistent pain from a previous neck injury and mentally fighting the tide of negative beliefs and behaviours on a day to day basis.”
The long-standing neck injury, sometimes causing muscle spasms requiring emergency physio appointments and pain from gynaecological endometriosis and surgical procedures the Omagh-born woman faces more interventions but is nevertheless positive at present.
“Week by week I started to feel empowered and aware I was actually coping so much better in my life and not just on the survival mindset I’d lived by for so long. Physically and mentally the pain was easing and my emotional roller coaster wasn’t as scary.”
The combination of floatation and the Havening Technique has helped Judith enormously.
“We had four Havening appointments to assist with her accreditation as a Havening practitioner. I knew from the first appointment that I had mentally and emotionally shifted, it was like having the result of months of counselling in a one hour session.”
“After each appointment I was unable to access the haunting emotions from the traumatic memories that we had worked on. Freedom from the disabling fear and not being triggered by events that normally would. I was actually thriving!”
And, the floatation helped her address the ongoing issues with her neck.
“Once I started floating the neck muscle spasms stopped,” she said. “A year later I visited a recommended chiropractor who took x-rays and assessed my neck and spine.
“This showed I had six out of the seven neck vertebrae out of line, my posture had been affected to compensate and the nerve activity in my spine confirmed that I had a weakened immune system.
“Thankfully a few quick manipulations, weekly check-ups for 4 weeks, floating after each appointment and changing my diet to improve my gut health my neck and immune system is going from strength to strength. Floating has eased so many aches I just lived with over the years and has helped the endometriosis pain considerably.”
And Judith recommends floating and RAFT to all.
“It is life changing. My first float was a true milestone in my life which I will never forget. The float cabin resets you physically and mentally and for the first time that I was aware of my flight or fight was actually switched off.
“And, with RAFT I feel empowered and know that I have the emotional tools available to face life’s difficulties rather than letting them consume me and taking control of my own peace and happiness.”
For more information or to book a RAFT session go to hydro-ease.co.uk or email vivian at [email protected]