Darryl and Shellese Bassette
If you have met the Bassettes – Darryl and Shellese – you would definitely agree that they are a charming couple and a dynamic duo, especially when it comes to their passion for promoting digestive health. They are both enthusiastic about their center, Mind, Body and Flow, which provides a total package of overall wellness services including colon hydrotherapy, Zen Shiatsu therapy, infrared sauna and the Creating Wellness™ system.
Darryl and Shellese were not always involved in holistic healing, however. Darryl was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in the D.C. Metro area. When he was 19, he moved to Los Angeles where he devoted eight years to a music career as a promoter, producer and DJ. “It was very exciting,” he reminisces. “Parts of it were fantastic and I made some lifelong friends.
Shellese, in the meantime, was born and raised in L.A., near Culver City. She completed her undergraduate degree from University of California at Irvine and went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at University of the Pacific in San Francisco. One of Shellese’s friends was married to a Hollywood video director who introduced her though a “blind date” to Darryl…and the rest, as they say, is history!
Darryl changed careers and became involved in the pet business, manufacturing and distributing pet supplies. In 2006, the couple decided they’d like to buy an affordable house which meant leaving California and moving to Arizona. They found a beautiful home in Chandler. Darryl continued to work in the pet industry. Shellese joined a children’s dental group in Mesa. Then, the Universe intervened.
As Shellese writes on their website: “In the fall of 2009, my husband and I were inspired to take a serious look at our health, particularly our digestive health. At that time, we learned my father-in-law was experiencing digestive health problems that led to chronic diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, and severe weight loss and fatigue. After various invasive tests and hospital stays, he was diagnosed with Celiac disease. My father was also diagnosed with colon polyps and had multiple procedures to remove them. Just before Christmas of that same year, my godfather had surgery to remove 13 inches of his large intestine due to irreversible damage from chronic infection.
As we became aware of how many of our immediate family members experienced severe digestive health issues, we agreed this critical aspect of our health could not be ignored. We dedicated both time and money to researching all aspects of the digestive system, including its detailed function, diseases and conditions, and traditional as well as alternative treatments.”
Darryl and Shellese were both amazed at the lack of awareness in the medical community about digestive problems. “We couldn’t understand why it was so difficult to diagnose my dad’s Celiac disease and other problems,” explains Darryl. “The more we researched, the more we realized that digestive health is taken for granted and is a grey area to many.” Consequently, Darryl enrolled in a Bachelors degree program for Holistic Health at the Global College of Natural Medicine. He realized many prescription drugs have an adverse effect on the digestive system, and there is no simple prescription or cure for many conditions.
They began looking for facilities that offered colon hydrotherapy (i.e. colonics) in Chandler since their research indicated that such treatments were a good place to start for improving health naturally. Shellese was surprised when the treatments helped clear up her stubborn adult acne, and both were convinced that the therapy needed to be promoted and added to an overall program for digestive health.
“I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” says Darryl. “I was blown away when I discovered that colon hydrotherapists in Arizona don’t need any certification. You need to be certified to manicure nails and cut hair, but not to work with a person’s colon. Wow! It didn’t make sense to me. And I really didn’t like the fact that this invasive therapy could be perfomed out of someone’s home. It didn’t feel professional.”
So Darryl and Shellese put their heads together and created a system that’s all about detoxifying the body without chemicals or steroids and increasing the public’s awareness about digestive health. “Our programs and services at Mind, Body and Flow are all about releasing and removing obstructions by fostering the body’s natural ability to bring itself into balance,” smiles Shellese. “And everyone here has to be certified,” adds Darryl. “We carry proper insurance and do all the things you’d expect in a professional office.”
The center is proud to offer colon hydrotherapy equipment that is FDA approved and registered. Mind, Body and Flow offers both the open and closed systems, which allows them to tailor a program according to an individual’s needs or preferences. Dr. Bassette says, “Every colon is different. We work with a wide range of wonderful clients, from everyday people to professional athletes looking to jumpstart a weight loss program or begin a whole body detox regimine. Many clients are referred to us by physicians who understand that a holistic approach can complement traditional medicine,” explains Darryl with justifiable pride.
“We do about 200 colon therapies and other services per month with great success. Mind, Body and Flow is built on the concept of synergy,” Dr. Bassette adds. Synergy is the interaction of two or more forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. This is why they incorporate several techniques and services that work together to provide clients with optimal health and healing. Colon hydrotherapy is just one of the four key services needed regularly on the road to wellness.
One of the services offered is the FAR Infrared Sauna. This cutting-edge infrared sauna serves a variety of detoxification functions, targeting release through the largest organ in the human body: your skin. Its unique delivery system helps clients achieve sweating at a more comfortable temperature than a conventional hot sauna. The Infrared Sauna can be added prior to the colonic or Zen Shiatsu therapy to increase the level of detoxification through sweating.
Zen Shiatsu is a system of Chinese acupressure where the massage therapist uses a combination of elbows, knees, wrists and hands to exert pressure to help balance the body’s flow of energy. “Here, it’s used specifically to stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage the liver and other major organs, including the colon to function better,” Darryl states.
Good nutrition and proper nutritional supplements also play a big role in digestive wellness. Darryl and Shellese are very proud that they are one of a few non-chiropractic centers (out of 300 centers total) authorized to use the Creating Wellness System, a customizable total wellness program developed by chiropractors. The Mind, Body and Flow staff have been trained in coaching their clients through the Creating Wellness program. “The goal is a true lifestyle change,” Darryl emphasizes. “Clients go through a series of tests and questions so that they realize what areas of their lives they are challenged in. Then we help them with meal planning, exercise, and how to combine foods. Sometimes just knowing to relax and chew their foods thoroughly can really help improve digestion. The goal is to balance your life. When your mind and body are in sync, then everything flows better. When out of sync, sometimes life can spin out of control.”
Darryl and Shellese are continuing to expand their vision. They plan to have a new Enzyme Therapy program kicked off by mid-July. They are in the final stages of being educated on it. “Lately, we have been seeing many people on the HCG diet experiencing severe constipation. They come to us because they’ve been backed up for days,” says Darryl sympathetically. “One of our new programs has a complete protocol for patients on the HCG diet and uses the acronym HOPE, standing for High fiber, Oils, Probiotics, and Enzymes.
The Bassettes are also excited about being in the last stages of becoming an accredited school for colon hydrotherapy. “One of our therapists is now completing her instructional training,” smiles Shellese. Both Shellese and Darryl are certified in all aspects of their business, but usually handle the administrative side. “We’re passionate about presenting ourselves as professionals with a top-notch facility, staff and equipment. We want to uplift the profession of colon hydrotherapy and be sure that we are putting out correct information about our business and what we provide.”
What don’t you know yet about the Bassettes? Darryl says most people don’t believe it, but he secretly loves romantic comedies like Hitch and The Break-Up. Shellese sighs longingly, “I really love to sing, but I can’t sing a note. If you don’t believe me, pull alongside of my car at a red light.”
And when both of them were assured that their “last meal on the planet” really meant that they wouldn’t have to come back and face any physical consequences of what they ate, they were very enthusiastic about their choices.
“It would be Tastee Cakes,” grinned Darryl. “If it’s my last taste and I really don’t care how I feel tomorrow, I’d have the Chocolate Junior Tastee Cake. And an original Philly cheesesteak from Pat’s Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.” And to wash it down? “A Yoo-Hoo (which for the non-East coaster is a chocolate milk drink).”
“I’d have a Chicago style deep dish pizza from Eduardos,” enthuses Shellese. “I had one when my sister was an undergrad in Chicago. With lots of veggies and chunky tomatoes on top. It’s so thick and filling, I can only eat one piece. I’d have a root beer float using Barq’s root beer to wash it down. And for dessert, strawberry shortcake – fresh strawberries over a rich and buttery pound cake with fresh whipped cream.”
If you’ve been feeling a little bit sluggish or would like to find out more about digestive health, feel free to contact Mind, Body and Flow at 480-78-COLON (782-6566) or check out their website at www.mindbodyandflow.com and download their free e-book, titled A Skeptic’s Guide to Colon Hydrotherapy. Both Shellese and Darryl will be happy to talk with you about the therapies offered at the center and their goal of enhancing everyone’s level of digestive wellbeing. They say, “Remember Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Free.”