Shop offers double dose of pleasure

By Katherine Nichols
Advertiser Staff Writer

Owner Shayne Guthrie demonstrates how the aqua massage machine works at his Ocean Rhythm Aqua Massage and Oxygen Bar at Ala Moana. This machine has 36 water jets enclosed in a canopy that conforms to the customer's body. Kyle Sackowski • The Honolulu Advertiser Ocean Rhythm Aqua Massage and Oxygen Bar Ala Moana Center (former Sweet Factory location) Open mall hours, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday

Ocean Rhythm Aqua Massage and Oxygen Bar is scheduled to open tomorrow at Ala Moana Center. In the space formerly occupied by Sweet Factory (ground floor, under Neiman Marcus), Ocean Rhythm will combine the aqua massage concept with the Oxygen Bar (formerly a kiosk near Centerstage).

The bar is about inhaling rather than imbibing, and offers oxygen-enriched aromatherapy filtered through a plastic tube placed at the base of the nose while customers enjoy a light and sound show through wrap-around DVD glasses and listen to favorite CDs on headphones.

Now people can savor the Oxygen Bar experience in more privacy than at the kiosk, then float to one of the state-of-the-art aqua massage tables that resemble a tanning bed (only more com-fortable).

"It's like a virtual experience," said Ocean Rhythm owner Shayne Guthrie, a chiropractor who also has a private practice in Kane'ohe. "It feels like someone with nine fingers on each hand is massaging you."

This feeling comes from the inverted V-shaped spray bar with 36 water jets enclosed in an acrylic canopy that conforms to the customer's body. The spray bar travels up and down, and customers can adjust the water pressure and focus on whatever area they prefer.

"You can actually stop the machine on a dime," Guthrie said. This allows people to pay special attention to areas such as the lower back.

If claustrophobia is a concern, the 29-year-old Guthrie assures prospective customers that "your head is fully out of the device," enabling people to wear headphones and listen to soothing CDs.

Despite the appearance of being closed in, he said, "You don't feel like anything is on top of you."

Guthrie said a similar store is in Las Vegas and has proven popular among guests from Hawai'i (especially those who don't feel comfortable in spas).

How long will each massage last? "As long as they can afford it," said Guthrie, who plans to charge $3 a minute, but will offer better deals soon after opening. The Oxygen Bar will continue to cost about $15 for 10 minutes.