Tara Alder with Alder Brooke Healing Arts
Tara Alder is nationally certified and is an instructor with the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy.
Tara is a graduate of the American Institute of Natural Health and the Circle of Life Healing Arts institute. Tara has furthered her expertise by apprenticing at the Gerber Medical Clinic, California Wellness Institute, the Optimum Health Resources and maintains continuing education hours annually.
As a natural health coach with a holistic approach and a gentle nurturing touch, Tara has practiced professionally in the healing arts since 2000, has served thousands of clients and helped hundreds of students. Tara believes that everyone deserves to live an extraordinary life with youthful vitality.
We asked Tara a couple questions to learn more about the Colon Hydrotherapy process:
1. What is the ‘gut’?
The gut has been in our vocabulary ever since I can remember. “She spilled her guts”, “Do you have enough guts?”, Your gutsy!”. Or, “What is your gut instinct”. But what are the guts? And why is it such a hot topic in media these days?
The gut is generally referring to the intestines, sometimes called the bowels. But even those terms are ambiguous. Let’s break it down by first looking at the digestive tract as a whole.
Imagine it is one long connected tube with different sections. The digestive tract begins where we ingest our food, the mouth (some of us have bigger mouths than others), then there is the esophagus (about 9 inches), the stomach(clearly some are smaller than others, I grew up hearing the saying “she couldn’t stomach it”), then there is the small intestine (a narrow only 1 inch in diameter section that is 20 to 23 feet long!), then the last 5 feet are what we call the colon, bowel or large intestine. So, I think technically, the guts are both the small and large intestine.
The small intestine is where most digestion and absorption occur. The large intestine is where the bacterial decomposition of food occurs. Bacteria, food fibers, mucus, water and the fibers left over create what we call poop, feces, stool and many other fun terms.
2. Why is it important to have good gut health?
It’s important to have good gut health because of the microbiome, also known as the beneficial bacteria or probiotics that reside in our gut and they make up a huge part of our immune system. Also, microbiome in the guts affect the central nervous system which controls brain function. Serotonin (functions as a neurotransmitter and a hormone) is produced in the guts is sometimes referred to as the happy chemical because it contributes to our sense of wellbeing and happiness. Serotonin is believed to regulate mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, memory, sexual desire and function. The guts have been referred to as our intuition center or our second brain. Some would say it is the area of our first 3 chakras or energy centers! You know when you have butterflies in your belly that something is intuitively off. Your body speaks to you through your guts.
Anatomy of the digestive system.
3. What are some of the most common health issues involving the digestive system?Certainly, the integrity of our intestinal tract is crucial. The mucus lining inside the gut walls allows nutrition to be absorbed and to keep undigested food particles contained to be evacuated. When these functions fail or don’t function in a timely manner, our gut microbiome gets out of balance and disease ensues. Common health issues arise from guts that are out of balance. Brain fog, depression, anxiety, inflammation, bloating, gas, weight issues, absorption issues, kidney issues, lliver issues and many autoimmune diseases may have gut origin.
4. How do the foods that we consume affect our gut health?
The food we consume is important to maintain bacterial balance, appropriate transit time and overall intestinal integrity. Sadly, much of the world’s food is contaminated with a harmful chemical called glyphosate. Glyphosate disturbs the bacterial balance of our gut and contributes to increased permeability of that protective lining. So even when we are eating sensibly, we are still compromising our intestinal integrity. That being said, it is still important to consume mostly high water, high fiber, fermented foods and high enzyme foods. Lots of fruits and veggies, minimizing all foods that are processed.
5. What is colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy is very much like the name would imply. It is the professional therapeutic process of hydrating the colon using temperature-controlled purified water. The water is slowly received into the colon and naturally released. The fluid water loosens and softens bowel waste allowing it to be rinsed away as the colon releases. The process is repeated as many times as is appropriate for each individual for about 30 to 45 minutes each session. This is very much like an enema differing in that the water is unlimited and controlled and receiving and releasing is repeated.
6. What are the benefits of colon hydrotherapy?
People have told me that colon hydrotherapy has benefited them in many ways. Some say it reduces their experiences of bloating, gas, constipation, lower back pain, heart burn, diarrhea, skin conditions and much more. I think the most common and profound testimonials that I hear is a general feeling of wellness, increased energy, clarity, a feeling of lightness and a more positive outlook.
7. What is the difference between a closed system and an open system?
There are 2 basic types of colon hydrotherapy equipment that are registered with he FDA. The “open” and the “closed” systems. Both can be gravity fed, but the “closed” system can also be pressure controlled. I have practiced professionally on both systems for many years.
The open system has a smaller tube that rests comfortably inside the first 2 inches of the bottom that allows the purified liquid to enter the colon. Then when the body is ready to expel the liquid and other colon contents, the body naturally expels the liquid and waste into an “open” basin that is professionally plumbed directly into the city sewage. This is much like evacuating into a regular toilet except that the bowel contents are more liquid.
The “closed” system has a bit larger tube, approximately 3/4 inch in diameter, that rest inside the bottom 2 inches. The difference with the closed system is that when the colon is ready to release, the liquid and waste is evacuated into the 3/4 inch tube that then passes through many feet of tube before being disposed into the city sewage plumbing. Because the waste goes from the body directly into a tube, this system allows for pressure and possible blockage in the tube. Trained therapist can assist clients when this occurs and a toilet is usually near to complete the evacuation.
8. At what age would you say its beneficial to begin colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy in the most basic form, the enema, has been used for thousands of years for people of all ages beginning as early as infancy. Professional colon hydrotherapy is appropriate for most healthy people starting at any age, however, I generally like to serve adults 18 years of age or older.
9. How often is best to receive CH?
Many people receive colon hydrotherapy monthly to maintain optimal health, others choose it more frequently as they are attempting to regain health. I suggest that clients consider seasonal cleansing as when the season changes, food choices and lifestyle changes, so it is a good time to cleanse the old and make room for the new, fresh and vital.
10. What does radical self-care mean to you?
Radical self-care to me is embracing self-care on a regular basis. It means putting my needs before other people’s needs. This may not seem too radical, however, as a woman and a mom I had been trained most my life to put others needs before my own. So, for me, putting my needs on the top of the list is radical.
11. What does leadership mean to you?
“Leaders are those who always empower others”. -Bill Gates
If you would like to learn more, or book a session with Tara, visit her website here.
Be well, friends. Thank you for reading!
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