Having returned to Bangalore from a month-long trip to the US and the UK, I can now reflect fondly on one of the more bizarre activities I undertook, namely colonic irrigation, or 'colon hydrotherapy' as it is more trendily known now. The practice of cleansing one's colon gently with water has been practiced for centuries, but probably came to prominence in the '90s went many celebrities, e.g., Madonna, extoiled its virtues. I've also known 'real' people to have amazing results; a couple friend of mine who were getting married undertook a series of three sessions each (less painful than a pre-nup, perhaps?) and waxed lyrical about its weight-loss, skin-purifying, and all-round-invigorating properties. So when my New York friend was raving about her experience at The Great Jones Spa and urging me to try it, who was I to 'poo-poo' it?
The process goes like this: Arrive at fabulous downtown spa, get in robe, go to small room equipped with bed, 'poop-removing machine', and curtained-off toilet, switch robe around so it opens at the back (don't be alarmed, the PR says, "Client modesty will be preserved at all times...'), swing up onto afore mentioned bed in foetal position and get ready for 'warm water to be gently infused into the colon while your therapist uses special massage techniques to stimulate the release of stored matter...' Of course, to get to this point, a very sterile, brand spanking new poop removing pipe (not official terminology) has to be inserted into your butt. Enough said.
I am told that the process - which lasts up to an hour - can be quite relaxing, cathartic, and even enjoyable. My first experience left me wanting to curl back up into the foetal position and go home. But I stuck with it. And came back for a second time. And a third time - at which point, I'm told, the real old stuff that's clogging up your colon will start to come away. By this time, I was an old-pro and having many successful 'releases', as the therapist calls them.
It's an odd feeling laying there with a tube up your butt as someone massages your tummy, talks about dairy producing 'toxic mucus', and watches bits of you float past at high speed through the window on 'poop-removing machine'.
What is in there? I've heard stories about parasites as long as your arm coming out (none seen by colonic-expert of many years, Brigit Krome), or whole mushrooms appearing more than a week after consumption, and even twizzler-type shapes whizzing past (hence the more affectionate term used by me to describe this activity - twizzling). The scariest moment had to be when I used the in-room loo pre-my first session, only to see a whole Metrocard down the pan! If that's not the strangest thing to come out of someone, I don't know what it. Man, that must have been hard to pass. Sadly, I think it really fell out of someone's back pocket, but we can dream...
So, after all this twizzling, what were the end results you might ask? Well, with the help of this and some aptly named supplements called 'The Mover' things are going pretty well in the bathroom department. Note: Brigit says you should go after EVERY meal... And I honestly do feel lighter. The fact that after a month of traveling, no real exercise, drinking every day, and eating out, I haven't put one lb on will vouch for that.
Would I do it again? You can bet your bottom dollar!
