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So, after our group zoom call last night, I dove right into doing a 25-minute session on myself without any hesitation. The area where I had the hernia repair with mesh inserted was the only area, where I felt a strong pulse throbbing during the 30 seconds of compression. All the other areas I held for 60 seconds. A few areas had very noticeable tightness but felt really good to release completely into it, feeling the loosening/melting away. Some areas didn’t feel like anything at all. Overall, I enjoyed the session, but haven’t experienced any noticeable benefits yet.

Greatly appreciate your sharing this information and including clear, easy-to-follow instructions.

Can this be done on a daily basis or should there be some days in between before doing another session?

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Èva, thanks for sharing 😊 Something to consider when thinking about the gut (or really, anywhere in the body) is that compression alone will reveal good data about your blood circulation, whereas compression and shearing of fascia (anywhere in the body) will reveal more about the density/fascia health of that area. So it could be that your gut has good blood flow, even if there are densities. And if there are densities, or knots, you might notice more immediate benefits from compression and shearing type gut work.

Regarding your question - my answer is the same as always: it's unique to you and your body 💜 There is no "should" or "shouldn't" other than to listen to your today body, and if your "today body" tells you "yes,please" to this technique for many days in a row - follow that. If at some point your body says "I've had enough" - then take a break. But it could also be that you simply don't need this, and don't notice benefits, which is a neutral response from your body saying "I could take this or leave it."

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Thanks bunches, Elisha, for the differences of compression work and shearing of fascia as well as the advice. I’ll figure it out using my body as my guide.

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Sep 18, 2023Liked by Elisha Celeste

Another masterful article! I have explored gut compression with a squishy ball but experienced discomfort and didn't continue. After learning more, I will be exploring it again! Thank you, Erin

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Hi Erin! I find it super helpful to remember that healthy fascia doesn't hurt anywhere - including the gut. AND, that it is natural and common to contract reflexively when pressure is entering the abdominal cavity where our vital organs are. With a bit of caution and self awareness, we can "open the doors" to this part of the body and get to know it in a very tactile, visceral way. And then create intentional change. Would love to hear how it goes for you this time around 😊

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This was such a good article!!! Thank you for taking the time to write it down.🫂

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You're welcome, glad you enjoyed reading 😊

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Sep 18, 2023Liked by Elisha Celeste

Great work ELISHA! I've been doing the yogic practice of uddiyana banda for the same benefits & can vouch for its effectiveness - i hadn't thought of using a ball like this! Will try it tmrw & let you know 😉 thank you again!

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Hi Kristi, I haven't tried the uddyana banda, but it definitely intrigues me. These two practices (the technique in this article and the yoga practice) seem like reciprocal facilitating/inhibiting opposites that would be good to use in alternation. I really see the merits of consciously being able to control both the musculature of the organs and breathing muscles, and the relaxation reflex as a means of contacting/massaging/releasing the organs.

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Sep 22, 2023Liked by Elisha Celeste

yes i will carry on experimenting! after a first session of only 15 mins i noticed about 4hrs later( & after eating) some discomfort in the areas i had compressed. So lets see, maybe it can be that things were released there & when digestion hapoened it moved some densities. The uddyana banda i find does relax the organs & move the blood for sure, using the emptiness (no breathing) to squeeze stuff! With compression the breathing & throbbing sensations give more precise information i feel. So interesting!

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Interesting, indeed! Thanks for sharing - we're all so different 💜

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Sep 18, 2023Liked by Elisha Celeste

Fascinating! Can't wait to try it! One quick question...since I'm learning about the pelvic floor I'm a little concerned about the extra pressure, but I'm guessing the benefits far outweigh the potential risks. I'm SO glad you were able to enjoy CO recently and hope when you do get settled you can explore my area! (Montrose, Black Canyon, San Juan mountains...) Never made a comment on a substack before and don't know how this displays so this is Nicole from last year's Kinetix Academy. God Bless!

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Hi Nicole 🥰 Nice to 'see' you here! I am so excited to be moving back to Colorado 🌄 and it would be great to meet you in person at some point. Let me know what you discover if you try this technique 😊

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