Senior Airmen Chris Kohan and Edward Scoby have both experienced their fair share of grueling workouts during their time in the military.
Never quite finding a way to soothe their sore muscles after a long day of personal training, Kohan and Scoby's seemingly never-ending quest for relaxation and restoration led them both to try a little-known technology: floatation tanks.
Now the duo hopes to share their experience with others by bringing this revolutionary technology to the Emerald Coast.
Developed in the early 1950s, floatation tanks aren't new; but they haven't been considered commonplace until recent years. Floatation tanks have gained popularity recently as more people are turning to alternative health and relaxation methods.
A floatation spa is a shallow tank — resembling a futuristic bathtub of sorts with a lid that can be kept open or closed — filled with water and hundreds of pounds of Epsom salts.
Kohan told The Log that the float tank service would be beneficial for the residents of Northwest Florida for a number of reasons. Allowing your body to float effortlessly, the water and Epsom salts heal your body and spirit, according to Kohan.
"Floating is helpful for military, seniors and expectant mothers," said Kohan. "It's beneficial for everyone; people who have high-stress jobs or are on their feet a lot, it helps with joint and back pain, insomnia, to name a few. It's the ultimate natural recovery system for mental and physical fatigue."
The key to the float tank's success, allowing the patient to achieve the ultimate level of relaxation, is in its design. By eliminating the outside sound and light that can distract you and keep your mind racing you are able become completely relaxed.
"You usually don't realize these outside lights or sounds are intrusive," said Kohan. "Everything from dogs barking, car horns, phones and computers can keep you from completely relaxing."
Kohan added that spending a couple of hours inside a float tank is like waking up rested from a great night of sleep.
With the tank itself costing more than $10,000, the young airmen turned businessmen are asking for help from the community to jumpstart their venture. Looking to partner with a local spa initially, the float tank needs to be housed in a 12-foot by 12-foot room with adequate plumbing hookups. According to the duo, the closest tank is more than five hours from here, so they have turned to the power of the Internet to help bring a space to the Destin area.
"We're requesting support from Destin and its citizens to help with our success," said Kohan.
As of now, the pair has raised $100 of their $25,000 goal and they only have 48 days left, as the fundraiser closes on June 23.
To learn more about Scoby and Kohan and the float tank spa, or to donate, visit their donation page at http://www.rockethub.com/projects/22572-emerald-coast-float-spa.
