GENKI: LET YOUR SPIRIT BREATHE - Denver's First & Only Oxygen Bar

O2: Oxygen - A colorless, tasteless, odorless gaseous element occurring free in the atmosphere, combined in numerous compounds (of which water is the most familiar), comprising 60% of the human body and an element essential to the formation and functioning of all forms of life.

As I was consulting Webster's dictionary for the meaning of oxygen, I was struck by the word "free" in its definition. Oxygen is an element essential to our existence, AND it is FREE. We are surrounded by it every moment, often unaware of its omnipotent and necessary presence. Water, too, is this way.

It is not unusual to see grocery shoppers perusing the bottled water isle in search of their favorite hydrating elements, H2O. I am sure my Great Grandfather would laugh at the thought of actually paying for water. Many of us go to great lengths to make certain that the water we consume is not polluted in any way. Unfortunately, that may not be so easy.

In Eight Weeks To Optimum Health, written by Dr. Andrew Weil, he states that "Drinking water is one of the major sources of environmental toxins that can harm your healing system." He adds, "According to recent reports, drinking water in the U.S. is increasingly becoming a health risk, whether you live in a big city or a rural area. More than one hundred million Americans drink water that contains significant levels of three cancer-causing chemicals: arsenic, radon, and chlorine by-products." If one is to take these facts into consideration, the prospect of drinking purified water doesn' t seem so far-fetched.

But what about oxygen? Has it become necessary with today's polluted environment to pay to breathe clean air too? It is true that there are some people who, because of their own doing (okay, I'll say it; smoking), or genetics constantly need oxygen. Whether in cars, grocery shopping or at home, they wheel a small tank of oxygen by their side.

Imagine, then going to a bar, an oxygen bar, to pay for a quick dose of the life-sustaining element. Sound crazy? How about if you woke up with an intense hang over, needed some deep breathing time or just wanted to feel rejuvenated. Would you try it then? How about if you could have the option of breathing oxygen infused with various herbs and extracts?

On a recent trip to Denver, CO, I visited Genki, an Oxygen bar located downtown at 1632 Market Street. Here, they serve up eight different aromas with their oxygen: Clarity -- (Eucalyptus & Ginkgo), purifying, invigorating & clarifying.

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Eclipse -- (Peppermint), sensual, euphoric & exotic. Lemon Grass-- (Lemon Grass Extract), vitalizing & cleansing. Nirvana -- (lavender, balsam & fir needles), sensual, euphoric & exotic. Revitalize -- (Lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint & Sweet Basil), uplifting, strengthening & warming. Sublime -- (Lime Juice Concentrate). Synergy -- wintergreen, spearmint & peppermint). Tangerine Dream -- (Citrus Reticulata), cheering, calming & relaxing.

When you approach Genki's golden (ten-feet tall) doors, you feel as though you are pulling open the doors at the Emerald City. As you enter, you walk into one large room with lofty ceilings. Exotic, relaxing music pulses about the room as you watch Genki's patrons relaxing horizontally as their chests rise and fall taking in the sweet aroma.

There are six stations all with three infused selections. You can experience them one at a time or turn all three on at once. You may also choose to sit at the bar where you can mingle or sit with friends quietly as you inhale the euphoria. Euphoric, soothing, calming, great for hangovers and peaceful is how many customers describe their time at Genki and other oxygen bars. Since it really only takes twenty minutes to satiate the body with oxygen, they don't recommend that you go longer than that. You can pay for a five, ten or twenty minute session. It is roughly about $1.00 per minute, add more for the drinks.

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Genki offers a multitude of juices, teas and oxygenated water to sip on while you fill your body with oxygen. They also have herbal potions as well. Judo Chop, Sake To Me and Groovy Baby are three different "shooters" they serve at the bar. These are concentrated little beverages that pack an herbal punch. If you dig caffeine, the Judo Chop is what you want. Sake to Me (the love mixture) is a combination of Kava Kava root, Ginseng and Yohimbe Bark, and Groovy Baby (St. John, Valerian Root and Kava Kava Root) will help you continue to nurse that relaxation vibe.

Oxygen bars are plentiful in China, South America and Japan, and are continuing to spread all over America. Actor Woody Harrelson opened one in Hollywood. Las Vegas was soon to follow. According to the National Oxygen Bar Association, Kristie Alley admittedly uses oxygen facial treatments to help eliminate wrinkles to maintain a youthful appearance. There are many other customers that have reported their love lives to be more exciting, their hair to be thicker and their skin to be more supple.

Overall, my time was well spent at Genki. I loved the entire experience and would go back again. Although I cannot go often enough to witness first hand the many alleged benefits, I will say that one twenty minute session raised my awareness to take more time to relax and breathe; something we should all do daily. After all, it is still free!!
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