At 618 West Broad Street in Bethlehem, there is a beautifully renovated building where the outside world disappears. Metta Relaxation Co. is the Lehigh Valley's only dedicated float center, and since 2014 it has been helping people find a level of calm that most of us did not know was possible.
The Float Experience
Float therapy is the core of what Metta offers. Five custom private float rooms each contain an extra-large open tub with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved in about 10 inches of water, heated to 93.5 degrees. You float effortlessly in complete privacy, free from gravity, sound, and light. A 90-minute session costs $75, and regulars will tell you it is some of the best money they spend on themselves.
The science behind floating is straightforward. When you remove external stimulation, your body and mind shift into a state of deep rest. Muscle tension releases. Stress hormones drop. Many people report sleeping better for days after a single session. It is not new age mysticism. It is simple physics and biology, and it works.
More Than Floating
Metta also offers reflexology, hydromassage, red light therapy, steam therapy, shiatsu, and vacutherapy. The combination of modalities means you can build a session that targets exactly what you need, whether that is recovery from a tough workout, relief from chronic stress, or just an afternoon of doing absolutely nothing.
The Woman Behind the Name
Founder Stephanie Bealer is a medical reflexology practitioner with a background in nutrition. Stress was a recurring theme in her private practice, and once she discovered float therapy and its benefits, she knew she wanted to bring it to the valley. The name Metta comes from the Pali word for loving-kindness, and that spirit shows in every detail of the space. The facility operates Thursday through Sunday by appointment only, which keeps the atmosphere unhurried and intentional.
