I had no idea how much I needed this! I did the technique last night before bed and I can feel my whole back loosening up this morning. Thanks! I will definitely be using it again. 🙂
I did the abdominal fascia release using my hands and it didn't quite cut it for me. This is the first time I have done it using a softball and it felt as though it was effective. It felt powerful and releasing. I am looking forward to persisting with this to see what results I may get.
In addition to my previous comment,I’m gonna stick my neck out here and say I believe that osteoarthritis is not caused by wear and tear (I was only 44 when I received this diagnosis) it is due to contracted and unhealthy fascia. I’m aware this may be off on a slight tangent away from the abdominal stuff, though I feel they’re probably related. I feel OA is a symptom of fascia contraction and unhealthiness and not a disease in itself. I was a nurse for 20years. We have so much more to learn about fascia which has the potential to change everything we thought we knew about the body! Thank you again beautiful! ❤️🌟🌀🌟❤️
This was an experience! My stomach was so tight and hard before. I actually feel like I can feel blood flowing to my abdomen now. There were so many tender parts and I felt my heartbeat in some of them. It was crazy but I feel so good now.
I love it! For me it seems particularly needed in my upper stomach , diaphragm region. I added some sounds and connected to my feelings and it really released both on the physical and the emotional level. Thank you so much again!
hello and thank you for sharing this technique. I found it helpful along the colon. it reminded me of a release technique I learned from Yoga Teacher Melissa West. She uses a slo mo ball, its like a partially deflated Pilates ball. So I did a little with that after and then took a break in childs pose and over a bolster for a chest opener. It really relieved some gas for me and loosened my back up. Thank you again I love following your videos.
I look forward to trying this. When I was a child & suffered constipation & bloating, my grandmother would have me lay down on my back & she would pinch & wiggle those same areas. It worked wonders every time! Not so easy to do on myself though, lol. So this technique of yours is a Godsend! Thank you!
Fantastic, I just did it and it feel amazing. It didn’t work with legs for me, so I just pushed the ball firmly with my hands, and it worked perfectly, thanks so much🙏🏽🌸💕🌸🙏🏽
I've been doing this for a handful of times but slightly different as I don't have that size ball. I have a football but I use my arms to push on it but do it so my arms are as relaxed as I can do. I have to report that my period is about 90% less painful and I'm in shock!!! I'm usually bed ridden for 2 days with a hot water bottle and strong pain killers but I've had very mild cramps and did a little massage and they went away. I can't believe I've never heard of this before and I'm going to share it with women who also suffer painful periods. Thank you so much! I've been loving your style and approach, it feels so comforting to learn from you. I hope to one day go see a therapist to work on my gut more. I've also noticed a big improvement in my bloating that nice had for about 5 years. 🙏🙏🙏
YESSSS 🙌🏽💛 Michelle, I am so happy you shared this! Us women don't have to suffer through our periods, it's a big lie we've been told that it's "normal" to feel pain when it really indicates tightness or toxicity. PLEASE spread the word, nothing would make me happier than women realizing this and feeling better in their bodies ALL the time.
@@ElishaCeleste aw thanks for replying! Can't believe it was the first period since a teenager (over 20 years!!) without pain! I'm so happy I could cry. Thank you times a million x
I tried this one, because I was curious. I needed to up my ball size as my body size needed something more substantial to squeeze in on. My weighted pilates soft ball worked better, but it seems to work for me when I trap the ball against the floor. A slightly deflated mini soccer ball works well too. I appreciate the shares. Always curious and open to exploring.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. My son (28) has just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. When he was a small boy and would have to stay with his father he would not go to poop AT ALL during the visit. Can you imagine how this his effected his gut, the stasis the collection of toxins etc. I shall pass this on to him, I hope he can listen ❤
Elisha thank you! I went on a massive fascia journey a couple of years ago and your stuff didn’t come up then. All in good timing. I’ve been working with my fascia for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia I was given 22 years ago. Only recently since connecting with my fascia do I feel I’m making progress. These techniques you’re sharing I know will take it next level. I loved this one. It’s the first I watched since I watched your 7 fascia facts. I’m going to be working through a lot of your videos as my fascia contraction has been widespread in my body and has been there since trauma as a 3 year old that I recently uncovered. That’s the point that my fascia contracted. Thank you!!! Beaming my gratitude and love to you ❤️🌟🙏🌟❤️
Feedback: the method is excellent. Tried it your way, and tried it laying on my belly, face down with the softball underneath ... made me burp 🙃, which means that it freed some air from my stomach..so good, especially that I was feeling bloated... Thank you, Elisha!
Suzana - love it! See, that's a perfect example of how what works for one person doesn't for another. I've never liked the face down versions, but clearly that worked for you! You can definitely get more pressure that way (which can be beneficial), I just can't breathe and never felt like I was targeting anything specific. I'm glad you like both!
Hey, I love this modification, thanks! Got a hurt hip that doesn't want to come in to my chest (yet), but I tried this and felt a nice squeeze--also got into my hip stuff. Thanks to you both!
I also modified to laying on my stomach on my bed. Sooooo good. My lower back and hips feel more free and that persistent tightness is gone. This is a game changer for me. Thank you!
I have been having digestive issues lately. First it is nice to know that my belly should feel soft, I massage it and I am always scared that softness is something wrong with my organs. I didn have a big enough ball so I laid down on a wooden ball. The small intestine felt very painful but I think helpful because I could feel it through my growing and up till my neck and head, like the whole diagonal fascia line
I stumbled upon this video. I didn't have a softball but I DID have medicine balls. Over the past month, I've sensations in my knee and a week before my cycle starts, my hips tighten up a lot! (I'm a belly dancer and my cycle started yesterday) One of the comments said they tried it on their stomach. So I tried it that way. (WHERE has this BEEN all my life?!) I did a z shape starting from the bottom left moving to the right, taking 3 deep breaths in each section and rolling back to the left. Since this is my first time, I focused on my breath and observed the sensations. Thank you for this. My hips aren't as tight and my knee is relaxed that when I butterfly, it doesn't give me sensations. Thank you.
Hi Alexis! Yay! Glad you found this and saw the comment about the face down version. And the way you described trying this is PERFECT - it's all about slow breathing and getting to know your body and how it responds to this. If you haven't yet seen it, I have a video about how menstrual cycles aren't "supposed" to feel painful, why they do and what to do about it. The sensations you're describing in your thighs is something we tend to feel as the body moves toxicity into the groin lymph nodes, to be ushered out of the body along with the period blood. Some of us (myself included) have a lot of knots and tension in the belly (from trauma, stress, toxicity exposures etc) and if the abdomen has too much restriction it can't move toxicity out. Anyway - so glad you have this in your life now, it's one of my favorite areas of the body to release!
Just tried this - first time with you - read comments - will try again maybe face down modification - I know I need this. Thank you - will explore your other videos
Hi Dottie - welcome to my channel! The face down version is a great option, although it's good to be aware of the way different balls will feel when you are face down. The softball or same sized medicine ball will feel really intense. A ball that's filled with air will feel a lot less intense. I also have a video that teaches you to use your hands, which is a great option as long as you don't have hand/wrist pain already, because it will require some "work" from your hand/arm muscles.
That was genius! I used yamuna balls, the black one and the large face ball and I thought it worked great. Should definitely help me improve my diaphragmatic breathing which is how I ended up here ;) Thank you!
Hi Renee, and welcome to my little corner of the internet. My gut issues started really early in life (pre-teen years), and without a doubt there is a connection to unhealed childhood trauma/stress. For me, it has to do with listening to my gut. I had to ignore my own gut wisdom, intuitions and instincts as a child. I knew that scary/bad things were happening to and around me, but I was only 8, 10, 13...so what could I do to stop them? As children, we often have to ignore what our gut instinct knows to be true, in order to survive certain situations. I'm not necessarily even talking about big T traumas (like physical abuse, sexual assault/abuse, abandonment/neglect etc but certainly this includes them). Even the daily stresses like being told to quit crying, that you don't actually feel what you feel if you express feeling cold/hot/sad/angry as a child, being teased at school, not feeling like you can be yourself at home or with friends, etc. The gut-brain axis is a powerful driver of not just survival, but aligning ourselves with our own truth and power as adults. No amount of trying to heal my gut (with cleanses, supplements, colonics etc) helped me. The only thing that actually reversed my gut pain was learning to speak my truth, set and maintain boundaries in my relationships, learning to say NO when I wanted to say NO instead of always saying YES to people, and learning real self love, self trust and self confidence. Just thought I'd share in case it resonates 😊 I do talk about this in a few different videos on the channel.
@@ElishaCeleste Yes, thanks for replying. I did experience trauma at an early age. Also was reprimanded for crying by my narcissistic father. I'm working on listening to my inner child and giving her voice attention. And fulfilling her wishes when it's appropriate, it has helped me feel more calm and happy.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t write a belated birthday wish to you and yours. I hope things are well in this current state. Always be well and strive to become a better you than the person that was before. In my fumble of words, I thank you for the many things I know now about the body. Keep smiling even when the world makes it obvious you shouldn’t 💕 Hugs & blessings
thx so much. clear, thorough, effectiven. question: why start with up the right side, across and then down the left side? i was taught the opposite, since it's the direction of digestion to start going up the left side/small intestine.... then across.... and then down the right side, large intestine. looking forward to your answer.
I can help try to answer this. It’s like unblocking a drainpipe. You need to empty the exit first to allow the rest to flow out as you move on up. As by massaging with the ball there’s gas that can get moved around and out. Hope that makes sense!
Hi Elisha. I have alot of abdominal surgery. I have no large bowel and have illiostomy bag. My stomach feels tight and hard what do you suggest to make my stomach feel better. Your videos are amazing. Thank you. ❤
I tried it but the technique didn’t work for me. I’m very thin and flexible but the softball didn’t go in far enough. I used a soft neck roller between my leg and softball to push it in more then I could feel it. 😊
Dear Elisha, I recently found you (I have searched for fascia work but non of the others resonated with me) and I somehow knew that THIS is exactly what I was looking for! Your work resonates so much with me and I already tried some techniques and got results from only doing them once (eg quads --> I didn't get my cramping and ticking legs in the evening or neck --> I got herx (but I took an extra portion of my binders and did some lymph pumping and then it was fine again and my neck feels already a bit softer, and it was veeeery tight...). So, I am excited to try more and more of your valubale techniques and will rotate them (as my fascia needs time to recover 2-3 days , especially in my leg area). Seems to be a good "regimen" for now :) According to this exact video I would like to ask why you go against the direction of digestion? Maybe you open up the end so that then the stuck things from the next spot won't get hindered? and so on? Just wondering if it doesn't have adverse effects as well because of stimulating in the wrong direction? Thank you so much for sharing all this beautiful stuff with the world
Hi Antje, welcome to my channel! I'm glad to hear that what I'm sharing resonates with you, and that you're already experiencing results - yay! YES, the reason I go in the direction I do in the abdomen is to open the descending colon first (because that area is closest to the "exit"), and then the transverse, ascending, then the small intestines. AND, I do - always - recommend listening to YOUR innate wisdom. Once you learn the "rules", you can break them based on knowing your own body and its needs.
@@ElishaCeleste This is so amazing! As many of your precious videos! I wanna do something for my belly region for a long time - for digestion as well as for opening up lymph- but only do massages like doing little circles or the arvigo self massage. So, I’m so very happy that you empowered me to do something for fascia and lymph! I played around with both of your techniques (from the other digestion video as well) for a few days and for me I find laying on my belly with a ball and then rotating the hip a bit when inhaling to give a bit more space and rotating back when exhaling to let the ball sink in - for the large intestines. For the small I’m on my elbows and push up a tiny bit with the elbows or hips and knees depending on the area. I even prefer doing it on my bed, then the movements are a bit different with the breathing. Laying on my back and pressing the ball in with the leg didn’t get it deep enough. For several spots I notice like a belt, I can feel a bit of pain not only in the belly but like a belt to the back. On other spots it’s spreading up and I feel it on the inside of my ribs. Will see how that goes with time! I love your technique for “stretching “ around the diaphragm area/ from underneath the ribs. I need this very badly. And I also wanna share that there is a lot of sadness and grief coming up when I do your exercises or afterwards. There is also a part showing up who wants me to run away from the feelings and when I notice it I see it and be with it and maybe talk or hug her, whatever she needs and then sometimes I can let some tears come out and be with the other feelings and sensations 💖 So your work so wonderfully adds to my trauma work as well 💞 Deep breath and sending you so much love ❤ I would like to ask some questions as well: 1) Have you seen results with very firm intestines? They feel hard like a stone 🙈 I wonder if this is “only” bc of fascia or something else… All this started some time after my amalgam removal two years ago… So, I hope with working on detox and fascia will help over time… 2) In one of your lymph videos you say: First open up belly, then neck and subclavical. What exactly do you mean with subclavicle? Pec and biceps? In The linked videos is only one for the biceps I guess. 3) Do you have experiences with supporting myofascial release with bioenergetics (photobiomodulation, IR-sauna, frequency specific microcurrent etc)? Thank you so much again for all your love and wisdom and generosity 💞 As soon as I financially can I will support you in that way as well! Sending you love 💖
Thank you so much this looks great! I’m going to get a softball today or tomorrow. All I have right now are lacrosse and tennis balls. I’ll let you know how it goes. Aloha
Thank you! Can’t wait to try it. Have a question: is there any way I could make disappear a Baker’s cyst behind my left knee which I think I made siting a long time with the legs bent under me (fetus position) while watching some UA-cam’s on my iPad. Not very smart of me, I know... sigh..
I would release as much fascia as you can around your knee - IT Band, low quads (maybe even my knee/quad tendon fascia release video I put out recently), hamstrings and calves, and see if it drains on its own. Sometimes they form because there's not enough blood/lymph circulation.
I had a Baker's cyst and as soon as I started releasing my calves it disappeared. I could hardly believe it. But it goes on, and I can squat, sit cross legged, jump. Thank you so much Elisha!!!
Thank you for this. I wanna try it because I feel like my abdominal area is completely tight. Not gonna even comment on my digestive issues. How often should one do that? How does this relate to ab training and core strength? Because on one hand you want you belly to be strong enough but also mellow, I guess? What about pain while doing this technique? Thank you. :)
My body produces extra ordinary gas and I am unable to burp or fart like a normal person,the trapped gas causes palpitations usually in the upper part of the body,can U help ?
Thank you so much for always sharing effective techniques. I am not sure if this technique is suitable for me though. My fascia is broken apart at the center vertical line. Any suggestions?
@@jessicashiph.d.777 - ok, well first a disclaimer: as I'm sure you know, I'm not a doctor and I'm also not a post an expert in diastis (have you checked out The Bloom Method? She has been really successful helping people heal from this). So please use your own best judgment and listen to your body. But I think you're probably safe to try this, and just go gently. Our bodies are WAY more resilient than we imagine. Your body probably has some scar tissue (which is fascia) and maybe some other fascial restrictions within the abdomen that may have even contributed to the separation. I would start LOW in the abdomen and on the sides, like I show in the video going from lower left and then down the right. And maybe just stay away from the midline for now, but you can target your small intestine area by maneuvering the ball into the left or right side at an angle so it's not going into the separation area. Hope that helps 😊
Wow this is so awesome. I'm trying it now with my softball but I feel like the pressure I feel with the tiny ball isn't enough? Should I get a bigger ball?
You can always try it with a different ball! The softball is perfect for me, and anything bigger would make me feel like I'm generally getting my abdominal area but not specifically targeting key areas. The broader the surface of the object you use, the broader the are you will target in your abdomen. But I'm all for trying things. Each of us has different anatomy, so what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. I'm glad you like this! And I'd love to hear if you try something else that works better for you. Maybe someone else needs to hear that 😊
@@ElishaCeleste a softball!!! This whole time I was mixing it up with a tennis ball😅 To update you though, I used the tennis ball and took my time with it. I also got onto my belly and rolled around that way. Tmi but it triggered a bowel movement. Crazy. Thanks so much for sharing this incredible info!! God bless your mission
@@juliabotros Not TMI, that makes sense to me! If you can get your hands on a softball (or similar size ball), this will work even better. But glad you experimented and rolled around enough to make it work 😊
A bigger ball would not really get into the abdomen. There's another technique on my channel that uses just your hands, so I'd recommend that one instead :)
I tried it and my abdominal area felt softer and my breathing got deeper. So relaxed. Thank you.
I had no idea how much I needed this! I did the technique last night before bed and I can feel my whole back loosening up this morning. Thanks! I will definitely be using it again. 🙂
Yay, so happy to hear this! 😊
I did the abdominal fascia release using my hands and it didn't quite cut it for me. This is the first time I have done it using a softball and it felt as though it was effective. It felt powerful and releasing. I am looking forward to persisting with this to see what results I may get.
In addition to my previous comment,I’m gonna stick my neck out here and say I believe that osteoarthritis is not caused by wear and tear (I was only 44 when I received this diagnosis) it is due to contracted and unhealthy fascia.
I’m aware this may be off on a slight tangent away from the abdominal stuff, though I feel they’re probably related.
I feel OA is a symptom of fascia contraction and unhealthiness and not a disease in itself.
I was a nurse for 20years. We have so much more to learn about fascia which has the potential to change everything we thought we knew about the body!
Thank you again beautiful!
❤️🌟🌀🌟❤️
I agree and I've helped a lot of people reverse all manner of arthritis's, including rheumatoid. ♥
This was an experience! My stomach was so tight and hard before. I actually feel like I can feel blood flowing to my abdomen now. There were so many tender parts and I felt my heartbeat in some of them. It was crazy but I feel so good now.
I love it! For me it seems particularly needed in my upper stomach , diaphragm region. I added some sounds and connected to my feelings and it really released both on the physical and the emotional level. Thank you so much again!
Wonderful! I love that you added sounds. I do that too, it really helps connect to the emotions and release them.
hello and thank you for sharing this technique. I found it helpful along the colon. it reminded me of a release technique I learned from Yoga Teacher Melissa West. She uses a slo mo ball, its like a partially deflated Pilates ball. So I did a little with that after and then took a break in childs pose and over a bolster for a chest opener. It really relieved some gas for me and loosened my back up. Thank you again I love following your videos.
I look forward to trying this. When I was a child & suffered constipation & bloating, my grandmother would have me lay down on my back & she would pinch & wiggle those same areas. It worked wonders every time! Not so easy to do on myself though, lol. So this technique of yours is a Godsend! Thank you!
Ha, LOVE that story! This will definitely do the trick for you.
Fantastic, I just did it and it feel amazing.
It didn’t work with legs for me, so I just pushed the ball firmly with my hands, and it worked perfectly, thanks so much🙏🏽🌸💕🌸🙏🏽
I've been doing this for a handful of times but slightly different as I don't have that size ball. I have a football but I use my arms to push on it but do it so my arms are as relaxed as I can do. I have to report that my period is about 90% less painful and I'm in shock!!! I'm usually bed ridden for 2 days with a hot water bottle and strong pain killers but I've had very mild cramps and did a little massage and they went away. I can't believe I've never heard of this before and I'm going to share it with women who also suffer painful periods. Thank you so much! I've been loving your style and approach, it feels so comforting to learn from you. I hope to one day go see a therapist to work on my gut more. I've also noticed a big improvement in my bloating that nice had for about 5 years. 🙏🙏🙏
YESSSS 🙌🏽💛 Michelle, I am so happy you shared this! Us women don't have to suffer through our periods, it's a big lie we've been told that it's "normal" to feel pain when it really indicates tightness or toxicity. PLEASE spread the word, nothing would make me happier than women realizing this and feeling better in their bodies ALL the time.
@@ElishaCeleste aw thanks for replying! Can't believe it was the first period since a teenager (over 20 years!!) without pain! I'm so happy I could cry. Thank you times a million x
I tried this one, because I was curious. I needed to up my ball size as my body size needed something more substantial to squeeze in on. My weighted pilates soft ball worked better, but it seems to work for me when I trap the ball against the floor. A slightly deflated mini soccer ball works well too. I appreciate the shares. Always curious and open to exploring.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. My son (28) has just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. When he was a small boy and would have to stay with his father he would not go to poop AT ALL during the visit. Can you imagine how this his effected his gut, the stasis the collection of toxins etc. I shall pass this on to him, I hope he can listen ❤
Elisha thank you!
I went on a massive fascia journey a couple of years ago and your
stuff didn’t come up then. All in good timing.
I’ve been working with my fascia for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia I was given 22 years ago. Only recently since connecting with my fascia do I feel I’m making progress. These techniques you’re sharing I know will take it next level.
I loved this one. It’s the first I watched since I watched your 7 fascia facts.
I’m going to be working through a lot of your videos as my fascia contraction has been widespread in my body and has been there since trauma as a 3 year old that I recently uncovered. That’s the point that my fascia contracted.
Thank you!!!
Beaming my gratitude and love to you
❤️🌟🙏🌟❤️
Feedback: the method is excellent. Tried it your way, and tried it laying on my belly, face down with the softball underneath ... made me burp 🙃, which means that it freed some air from my stomach..so good, especially that I was feeling bloated...
Thank you, Elisha!
Suzana - love it! See, that's a perfect example of how what works for one person doesn't for another. I've never liked the face down versions, but clearly that worked for you! You can definitely get more pressure that way (which can be beneficial), I just can't breathe and never felt like I was targeting anything specific. I'm glad you like both!
Hey, I love this modification, thanks! Got a hurt hip that doesn't want to come in to my chest (yet), but I tried this and felt a nice squeeze--also got into my hip stuff. Thanks to you both!
@@fullercrowley Yay, this community effort to share info and experience makes me really happy 🥳
I also modified to laying on my stomach on my bed. Sooooo good. My lower back and hips feel more free and that persistent tightness is gone. This is a game changer for me. Thank you!
Laying on my stomach was also much more effective for me.
I have been having digestive issues lately. First it is nice to know that my belly should feel soft, I massage it and I am always scared that softness is something wrong with my organs.
I didn have a big enough ball so I laid down on a wooden ball. The small intestine felt very painful but I think helpful because I could feel it through my growing and up till my neck and head, like the whole diagonal fascia line
Thanks Elisha, Great technique for several issues!
Wow that feels great. I could feel my heartbeat in every position. Now I’d like to check out your vid for releasing around the tail bone 😊
Super helpful, and such a neglected aspect of the body re fascia & massage -- thank you!
I stumbled upon this video. I didn't have a softball but I DID have medicine balls. Over the past month, I've sensations in my knee and a week before my cycle starts, my hips tighten up a lot! (I'm a belly dancer and my cycle started yesterday) One of the comments said they tried it on their stomach. So I tried it that way. (WHERE has this BEEN all my life?!) I did a z shape starting from the bottom left moving to the right, taking 3 deep breaths in each section and rolling back to the left. Since this is my first time, I focused on my breath and observed the sensations. Thank you for this. My hips aren't as tight and my knee is relaxed that when I butterfly, it doesn't give me sensations. Thank you.
Hi Alexis! Yay! Glad you found this and saw the comment about the face down version. And the way you described trying this is PERFECT - it's all about slow breathing and getting to know your body and how it responds to this. If you haven't yet seen it, I have a video about how menstrual cycles aren't "supposed" to feel painful, why they do and what to do about it. The sensations you're describing in your thighs is something we tend to feel as the body moves toxicity into the groin lymph nodes, to be ushered out of the body along with the period blood. Some of us (myself included) have a lot of knots and tension in the belly (from trauma, stress, toxicity exposures etc) and if the abdomen has too much restriction it can't move toxicity out. Anyway - so glad you have this in your life now, it's one of my favorite areas of the body to release!
@@ElishaCeleste I will look into that video. Thank you so much for your support.
Just tried this - first time with you - read comments - will try again maybe face down modification - I know I need this. Thank you - will explore your other videos
Hi Dottie - welcome to my channel! The face down version is a great option, although it's good to be aware of the way different balls will feel when you are face down. The softball or same sized medicine ball will feel really intense. A ball that's filled with air will feel a lot less intense. I also have a video that teaches you to use your hands, which is a great option as long as you don't have hand/wrist pain already, because it will require some "work" from your hand/arm muscles.
@ElishaCeleste can you use the foam roller on abdomen to do face down position?thank you for being you and all you do . Hope you are well 💛💚💙💜🤍🙏🙌
Thanks keep up the good work
I am gonna try this Thank you !
That was genius! I used yamuna balls, the black one and the large face ball and I thought it worked great. Should definitely help me improve my diaphragmatic breathing which is how I ended up here ;) Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thanks! I tried it. It's been working. I would like to get more recommended technics for abdominal fascia release.
I have abdominal pain and GI specialist hasn't been able to stop it. This video is helpful in learning alternative ways to deal with it.
Hi Renee, and welcome to my little corner of the internet. My gut issues started really early in life (pre-teen years), and without a doubt there is a connection to unhealed childhood trauma/stress. For me, it has to do with listening to my gut. I had to ignore my own gut wisdom, intuitions and instincts as a child. I knew that scary/bad things were happening to and around me, but I was only 8, 10, 13...so what could I do to stop them? As children, we often have to ignore what our gut instinct knows to be true, in order to survive certain situations.
I'm not necessarily even talking about big T traumas (like physical abuse, sexual assault/abuse, abandonment/neglect etc but certainly this includes them). Even the daily stresses like being told to quit crying, that you don't actually feel what you feel if you express feeling cold/hot/sad/angry as a child, being teased at school, not feeling like you can be yourself at home or with friends, etc.
The gut-brain axis is a powerful driver of not just survival, but aligning ourselves with our own truth and power as adults. No amount of trying to heal my gut (with cleanses, supplements, colonics etc) helped me. The only thing that actually reversed my gut pain was learning to speak my truth, set and maintain boundaries in my relationships, learning to say NO when I wanted to say NO instead of always saying YES to people, and learning real self love, self trust and self confidence.
Just thought I'd share in case it resonates 😊 I do talk about this in a few different videos on the channel.
@@ElishaCeleste Yes, thanks for replying. I did experience trauma at an early age. Also was reprimanded for crying by my narcissistic father. I'm working on listening to my inner child and giving her voice attention. And fulfilling her wishes when it's appropriate, it has helped me feel more calm and happy.
Yes! Wow! Thank you. This is gold.
Yay, glad you like this one! I am LOVING it for me lately.
Hi Elisha, Ihave a couple questions I put in a different post, wondered where best place to post question is? Thanks.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t write a belated birthday wish to you and yours. I hope things are well in this current state. Always be well and strive to become a better you than the person that was before. In my fumble of words, I thank you for the many things I know now about the body. Keep smiling even when the world makes it obvious you shouldn’t 💕 Hugs & blessings
Thank you Gordo, I appreciate your thoughtfulness 🙏🏽😊
thx so much. clear, thorough, effectiven.
question: why start with up the right side, across and then down the left side?
i was taught the opposite, since it's the direction of digestion to start going up the left side/small intestine.... then across.... and then down the right side, large intestine.
looking forward to your answer.
I can help try to answer this. It’s like unblocking a drainpipe. You need to empty the exit first to allow the rest to flow out as you move on up. As by massaging with the ball there’s gas that can get moved around and out. Hope that makes sense!
Hi Elisha. I have alot of abdominal surgery. I have no large bowel and have illiostomy bag. My stomach feels tight and hard what do you suggest to make my stomach feel better. Your videos are amazing. Thank you. ❤
Thank you soooooo much!!! Felt amazing & definitely had a few releases 😁
Yay, glad to hear!
What type of ball is this in the uk? I’m being told a softball is 12" which your ball is not. Don’t want to get the wrong type in size or density.
Hi, can I do this exercise even if I have a hiatal hernia? Thank you
I’m interested to know, as well!!
6:07 coming back to this
Thanks Elisha looking forward to trying this 😊
You're welcome, I look forward to hearing about your experience (it's been so beneficial for me) 💛
Thx. Wow! So painful! I feel it thru to my back and hip
I tried it but the technique didn’t work for me. I’m very thin and flexible but the softball didn’t go in far enough. I used a soft neck roller between my leg and softball to push it in more then I could feel it. 😊
Dear Elisha, I recently found you (I have searched for fascia work but non of the others resonated with me) and I somehow knew that THIS is exactly what I was looking for! Your work resonates so much with me and I already tried some techniques and got results from only doing them once (eg quads --> I didn't get my cramping and ticking legs in the evening or neck --> I got herx (but I took an extra portion of my binders and did some lymph pumping and then it was fine again and my neck feels already a bit softer, and it was veeeery tight...). So, I am excited to try more and more of your valubale techniques and will rotate them (as my fascia needs time to recover 2-3 days , especially in my leg area). Seems to be a good "regimen" for now :) According to this exact video I would like to ask why you go against the direction of digestion? Maybe you open up the end so that then the stuck things from the next spot won't get hindered? and so on? Just wondering if it doesn't have adverse effects as well because of stimulating in the wrong direction?
Thank you so much for sharing all this beautiful stuff with the world
Hi Antje, welcome to my channel! I'm glad to hear that what I'm sharing resonates with you, and that you're already experiencing results - yay! YES, the reason I go in the direction I do in the abdomen is to open the descending colon first (because that area is closest to the "exit"), and then the transverse, ascending, then the small intestines. AND, I do - always - recommend listening to YOUR innate wisdom. Once you learn the "rules", you can break them based on knowing your own body and its needs.
@@ElishaCeleste This is so amazing! As many of your precious videos!
I wanna do something for my belly region for a long time - for digestion as well as for opening up lymph- but only do massages like doing little circles or the arvigo self massage. So, I’m so very happy that you empowered me to do something for fascia and lymph!
I played around with both of your techniques (from the other digestion video as well) for a few days and for me I find laying on my belly with a ball and then rotating the hip a bit when inhaling to give a bit more space and rotating back when exhaling to let the ball sink in - for the large intestines. For the small I’m on my elbows and push up a tiny bit with the elbows or hips and knees depending on the area. I even prefer doing it on my bed, then the movements are a bit different with the breathing. Laying on my back and pressing the ball in with the leg didn’t get it deep enough.
For several spots I notice like a belt, I can feel a bit of pain not only in the belly but like a belt to the back. On other spots it’s spreading up and I feel it on the inside of my ribs. Will see how that goes with time!
I love your technique for “stretching “ around the diaphragm area/ from underneath the ribs. I need this very badly.
And I also wanna share that there is a lot of sadness and grief coming up when I do your exercises or afterwards. There is also a part showing up who wants me to run away from the feelings and when I notice it I see it and be with it and maybe talk or hug her, whatever she needs and then sometimes I can let some tears come out and be with the other feelings and sensations 💖
So your work so wonderfully adds to my trauma work as well 💞
Deep breath and sending you so much love ❤
I would like to ask some questions as well:
1) Have you seen results with very firm intestines? They feel hard like a stone 🙈 I wonder if this is “only” bc of fascia or something else… All this started some time after my amalgam removal two years ago… So, I hope with working on detox and fascia will help over time…
2) In one of your lymph videos you say: First open up belly, then neck and subclavical. What exactly do you mean with subclavicle? Pec and biceps? In The linked videos is only one for the biceps I guess.
3) Do you have experiences with supporting myofascial release with bioenergetics (photobiomodulation, IR-sauna, frequency specific microcurrent etc)?
Thank you so much again for all your love and wisdom and generosity 💞 As soon as I financially can I will support you in that way as well!
Sending you love 💖
What about womwn with prolaoses?
Would you do this everyday or a few times a week? This seems like a very helpful solution to many problems and I thank you very much.
Thank you so much this looks great! I’m going to get a softball today or tomorrow. All I have right now are lacrosse and tennis balls. I’ll let you know how it goes. Aloha
Cynthia - perfect, should be easy to find one and I look forward to hearing how this goes for you, it's really been a game changer for me.
Thank you! Can’t wait to try it. Have a question: is there any way I could make disappear a Baker’s cyst behind my left knee which I think I made siting a long time with the legs bent under me (fetus position) while watching some UA-cam’s on my iPad. Not very smart of me, I know... sigh..
I would release as much fascia as you can around your knee - IT Band, low quads (maybe even my knee/quad tendon fascia release video I put out recently), hamstrings and calves, and see if it drains on its own. Sometimes they form because there's not enough blood/lymph circulation.
I had a Baker's cyst and as soon as I started releasing my calves it disappeared. I could hardly believe it. But it goes on, and I can squat, sit cross legged, jump. Thank you so much Elisha!!!
@@helenemartinez291 i am so happy for you! Mine still persists..How many times or how often did you release your calves?
Thank you for this. I wanna try it because I feel like my abdominal area is completely tight. Not gonna even comment on my digestive issues. How often should one do that? How does this relate to ab training and core strength? Because on one hand you want you belly to be strong enough but also mellow, I guess? What about pain while doing this technique? Thank you. :)
What exactly does it do? Just puts pressure on the organs? I don't quite understand why is it supposed to help?
My body produces extra ordinary gas and I am unable to burp or fart like a normal person,the trapped gas causes palpitations usually in the upper part of the body,can U help ?
How often should this be done?
Do tennis balls help or should it be a softball?
I can’t wait to try this ☝🏼☝🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️❤️
How did it go? I love this one.
It was amazing 🤩 I feel whole and free. I’m telling all my friends & family about this.
Thank you for you! 🌞❤️🔥💎
@@jenniferlakhal4975 yay!!
Thank you so much for always sharing effective techniques. I am not sure if this technique is suitable for me though. My fascia is broken apart at the center vertical line. Any suggestions?
Hey Jessica - when you say broken apart, what do you mean? Diastasis recti? Or something from a surgery? I'm not sure I can help unless I know more. 💛
MobilityMastery I appreciate your super swift reply. I have diastatic. Thx a lot.
@@jessicashiph.d.777 - ok, well first a disclaimer: as I'm sure you know, I'm not a doctor and I'm also not a post an expert in diastis (have you checked out The Bloom Method? She has been really successful helping people heal from this). So please use your own best judgment and listen to your body. But I think you're probably safe to try this, and just go gently. Our bodies are WAY more resilient than we imagine. Your body probably has some scar tissue (which is fascia) and maybe some other fascial restrictions within the abdomen that may have even contributed to the separation. I would start LOW in the abdomen and on the sides, like I show in the video going from lower left and then down the right. And maybe just stay away from the midline for now, but you can target your small intestine area by maneuvering the ball into the left or right side at an angle so it's not going into the separation area. Hope that helps 😊
MobilityMastery Thank you so much for your thoughtful guidance. I will give it a try. I look forward to your next video.
Wow this is so awesome.
I'm trying it now with my softball but I feel like the pressure I feel with the tiny ball isn't enough? Should I get a bigger ball?
You can always try it with a different ball! The softball is perfect for me, and anything bigger would make me feel like I'm generally getting my abdominal area but not specifically targeting key areas. The broader the surface of the object you use, the broader the are you will target in your abdomen. But I'm all for trying things. Each of us has different anatomy, so what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. I'm glad you like this! And I'd love to hear if you try something else that works better for you. Maybe someone else needs to hear that 😊
Also - love your username! And I briefly checked out your UA-cam/IG. We're definitely in alignment on a lot. Love what you're up to 💛
@@ElishaCeleste a softball!!! This whole time I was mixing it up with a tennis ball😅
To update you though, I used the tennis ball and took my time with it. I also got onto my belly and rolled around that way. Tmi but it triggered a bowel movement. Crazy.
Thanks so much for sharing this incredible info!! God bless your mission
@@ElishaCeleste how sweet are you! I'm totally loving your content too, such unique information🤗 Subscribed💕
@@juliabotros Not TMI, that makes sense to me! If you can get your hands on a softball (or similar size ball), this will work even better. But glad you experimented and rolled around enough to make it work 😊
Why not use a yoga block and lie on it? Deanna with Block Therapy shows this, or simply a rolled up towel. Lie on it for at least 3 minutes
If you lack flexibility then surely a bigger ball would be helpful?
A bigger ball would not really get into the abdomen. There's another technique on my channel that uses just your hands, so I'd recommend that one instead :)
yak-yak-yak becomes more actionable at 6:00