In-Person Sessions

What happens during an in-person session?

In-person, our movement work together looks similar to a virtual session. The primary difference when working in-person is the availability of compression, a gentle hands-on modality to support your nervous system and valve system functioning.

There is so much to be learned and experienced by working together virtually. If available, adding in-person sessions as well is a wonderful way to supplement your process and allow for new nervous system changes beyond remote learning.

What is compression?

Compression can be helpful for addressing a variety of chronic health challenges, acute injuries, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Compression sounds like “force”; in reality, it couldn’t be more gentle. Compression consists of a Fajardo Method practitioner placing their hands on a client’s body (could be the head, feet, knees, elbows, or wherever you are most comfortable) so that the client’s nervous system and valve system is able to unconsciously perceive and learn from the stimulus of the practitioner’s system. When we are parasympathetic dominant (meaning our brain and nervous system are perceiving safety the majority of the time), our valve system functions consistently, pumping necessary fluids through the body such as blood, lymphatic fluid, hormones, etc. The valve system also regulates healthy respiration, digestion, and the ability of the body to maintain homeostatic pressure (think of when your ears pop as you ascend in an airplane— that’s your valve system trying to catch up to the pressure change). Giving the body opportunities to stimulate the valve system helps teach the body to self-regulate.

When receiving compression, you have a few options. First, you can simply relax and enjoy, observing any changes you perceive in your body. Second, you can engage in the two-points practice which helps your brain-map learn more about specific spatial relationships in the body. Or third, you can add a valve breathing practice at the same time. Valve breathing, unlike other forms of breathwork, does not manipulate the natural breath (meaning we are not consciously attempting to change the tempo, intensity, rhythm, or direction of the breath). Instead, it offers a repetitive visualization to help stimulate your valve system, regulating the breath naturally as a result, and without conscious intervention.