When this opportunity came through my inbox from Jen McNeely, Editor-in-Chief of SDTC it had few words explaining the press release that followed, but simply said:

“Lou?! Poo?!”

Jen and I have a relationship that constitutes of laughter ninety percent of the time… I could almost hear her gleeful amusement over email, inviting me to participate in what was to follow. It was an invitation from Toronto Colon Hyrdo Care, which operates a spa on Yonge Street – a spa for your colon.

If you want to giggle, that’s okay. It seems everyone has a sense of humor; Glenda Fordham of Fordham PR began the press release with:

DO PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT YOU’RE FULL OF CRAP?

Well, actually you are and you may be carrying around 5 to 25lbs of it!

I am sure most of you have heard about colonics, an ancient practice that uses water therapy intended to remove nonspecific toxins from the colon and intestinal tract…and yes – it also removes poop. Colon hydrotherapy has been found to have life-changing benefits for treating various ailments, including headaches, PMS, prostate issues, fatigue, eczema, candida, parasites, constipation, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, digestive disorders, weight gain, asthma and allergies, and many more.

Typically a technician, who is right there, in the room with you, administers the colonic. Talk about performance anxiety…  At Colon Hydro Care, three private rooms are equipped with special machines, known as the Angel of Water; it’s a gravity-fed, open colon hydrotherapy system where clients personally control all stages of the treatment themselves.  It is designed to bring elegance, simplicity and dignity to the ancient practice. After spending an evening with Spa owner and Director Marlena Roe, I was more comfortable with the idea of a colon cleanse, and once I got over the awkwardness of talking about poop, I was sort of excited.

I booked a session, and within a few days I was back for a date with the Angel of Water. I was instructed to not have any coffee that morning, drink lots of water, to eat lightly, and fast for 2 – 3 hours before treatment. Before stepping up to the doors, I debated running; however, I had told so many girlfriends what I was about to experience, and I knew I had to satisfy that curiosity.

I’ll spare you the details (in this case they are truly private), but after I ‘connected’ with the hydrotherapy system, it was as if I was experiencing a facial from the inside out – on the other end. The clearest way I can describe the experience is feeling like a balloon slowly and gently being filled with water, then when the pressure to release comes – you just do!

There is no odour, and it is totally a private experience – pretty much business as usual, but times twenty! I learned a lot about my insides, the good, the bad, and the bacterial. Marlena was within reach whenever I needed her – via walky-talky as to maintain privacy.

After the treatment, which lasted about an hour, I felt truly refreshed, light, and brave! I knew I had done something incredible for my insides. I wanted to scream from the rooftops that my colon was clean as a whistle! Instead, I went to Whole Foods and grabbed a salad filled with the nutritious things that Marlena recommended I consume after treatment.

When I realized how great I felt, it amazed me to realize how much we spend on perfecting the outside with superficial treatments – when it is even more beneficial to begin from the inside out.

So laugh it up all you want, but remember – you’re the one that’s full of shit!

Curious?! Experience Colon Hydro Care for yourself: www.colonspas.com

~ Louisa Cohen.