Ricky Helg helps build a counter top in the lobby of Levitate to help the float center open as soon as possible.
Amber Grace Garrard/The Lion's Roar

A meditative float center made its way to downtown Hammond to provide a way for people to get all the aids of floating without having to drive to New Orleans. 

“We want to bring some positivity to Hammond and uplift the city a little bit,” said Levitate Float Center staff member Ben Payne. 

The business hopes that anyone and everyone in Hammond will come and reap all the benefits floating has to offer. 

“Floating is beneficial to everyone,” said owner of Levitate Float Center Ryan Helg. “Besides the meditative state, it’s also a pain reliever for people with migraines or back problems. It also helps with PTSD and insomnia, PMS and arthritis and the list goes on.”

A float session at Levitate can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour where a person will be in a heated water tank full of Epsom salts. The tank will be heated to their body temperature. 

“It’s a good way to clear your mind, relax and get away from cellphones and all distractions,” said Helg. “The tanks are lightless and soundproof so it’s a good way to get away from everything that’s going on.”

Helg first discovered floating through a friend and after trying it in New Orleans a few times, he wanted to bring it to downtown. 

“I heard from a friend that it was an easy way to get into the meditative state, and I wanted to try it for myself,” said Helg. “We floated in New Orleans at Nola Float Tanks a few times and from day one that was something I wanted to bring to Hammond.”

Levitate is strategically placed so that more people would discover floating and less people would have to drive to New Orleans. 

“Being in downtown is important,” said Helg. “We’re from Ponchatoula, and we wanted to bring the business to local people out here instead of people having to cross the lake to do this.”

The business believes that floating can help students both mentally and physically. They specifically want to encourage student athletes to come try it out by offering a student discount if students bring their ID.

“Students should definitely do this, especially around finals time and testing time,” said Helg. “Lots of athletes are doing this now a day. You will see baseball teams putting tanks in their clubhouse for their players. One hour is proven to improve accuracy in pitchers and also for football players and other athletes. It’s a good way to rejuvenate after a game or practice.”

The business should have two tanks done by this week, having had an inspection this past Sunday. 

Though they do not have an official opening, Levitate will be taking part in Starry November Night. 

“We are going to be taking part in Starry Night and we are going to have live music in the lobby area and we will have our oxygen bar set up as well,” said Helg. “So you will get to use the oxygen bar and hangout.”

The business will have the oxygen bar put in soon along with their float tanks. Though the bar is more for recreational purposes, it has benefits as well. 

“The bar is good for up to two people or one person and it’s flavored oxygen,” said Helg. “It’s really just for recreational use. The juice inside the oxygen bar is flavored with essential oils. You get a different remedy for each flavor. One’s calming, one’s an energy booster.”

A basic membership is $100 and includes two 60 minute float sessions and up to 30 minutes at the oxygen bar on the days you float. A premium membership is $200 and will include four 60 minute floats, as well as up to 30 minutes at the oxygen bar on your float session day. Members will also get a T-shirt designed by Ryan Helg’s wife, Tiffini Helg, who did all the graphics for Levitate.

Individual sessions of 30 minutes and 60 minutes are also available. 

The business is still starting up and they are settling on prices. If interested, call Levitate at (985) 520-5939. To check out pictures and videos of what Levitate has to offer, go to their Instagram account levitate_float_center or their official website levitatefloatcenter.com.

 

Ryan Helg, owner of Levitate float center, sets up the inner lining of a tank.
Amber Grace Garrard/The Lion's Roar

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Amber Grace Garrard/The Lion's Roar