Episode 23
What is Breath Work – Frank Roser
Show Notes:
Frank Roser is a Certified Breath Work Coach and a Certified Yin Yoga Teacher. He’s also a football coach for over 16 years. During his time as a NFL Football and moving to Japan to coach a professional football team overseas, he discovered breath work. He joined a class and was immediately impressed of the health benefits that helped him release bottled-up emotions and stress. Since that experience he took a certification course to teach others the benefits of breathing with purpose.
Transcript
[Music intro]
The 8th Level Podcast is about being self-employed, entrepreneurship, and managing our online business. It’s also about connecting to our souls, having the right mindset, and self-care. My name is Lourdes, and I am the host of this show. Thank you for listening to this episode today!
What is breathwork? My guest today is Frank Roser, who was born, raised, and lives in Germany. He has been a football coach at the pro and college level for the past 16 years. At some point of his career while coaching a football team, he discovered breathwork. And today, we discuss what breathwork is all about and its health benefits. Welcome Frank, from Germany.
Lourdes: Frank, thank you so much for joining me at my podcast today! How are you?
Frank: I’m doing fantastic, and I’m very excited to be here!
Lourdes: Great. So Frank, tell me, how did you get into breathwork?
Frank: That is such a great question! So, I’m an American football coach as well, and I lived for 2 years in the US, and then my life’s journey took me to Japan. And there was a wonderful experience, but it was also a very stressful time. And I remembered that in 2016, I did my first Wim Hof breathing technique, but back then I did not understand the power of breathwork or what really the benefits are, but I remembered during that stressful time that there is something that has to do breathing.
And then I found Francesca Sipma on the Instagram page on the social media platform, and I booked three sessions with her. And after the third session, I screamed, I cried, I ripped the pillow cover apart a little bit, and I really felt free and relaxed. Like all the pressure just fell off my shoulder, and that’s when I realized oh wow, ok now I understand that breathing has so much power. And that basically set the tone, or showed me that I definitely want to become a breathwork coach myself.
Lourdes: Oh my gosh! It was that powerful for you, huh?
Frank: Yeah, and it’s crazy because the first two sessions, they were good, they were ok but I was not really hooked into it. But after the third one, and I still remember to today how Francesca was kinda like saying “Let go Frank!” And I was like “Ok I’m letting go,” and then I screamed and really cried. And I’m like, wow, that was something. And just through breathing!
Lourdes: Yeah, oh my! That sounds like such an amazing experience. Now you also mentioned when you were doing the football coaching in the United States, that somehow that journey took you to Japan. What journey? I mean, how did it take you to Japan?
Frank: So, I go even a step back more. Because I’m from Germany, so my dream always was to become a professional coach in the NFL for American football. And then I got this job as a graduate assistant coach at UTEP, the University of Texas at El Paso, which was amazing! I did a couple of internships at the college and pro level before, so of course that was such a milestone in my life, and still is a wonderful experience. With ups and downs of course, like everything. But then I had a visa for one more year, and the United States are not that friendly when it comes down to visa and green cards. [Laughter]
Lourdes: Mhm!
Frank: So, my time was running out. And some teams didn’t want to hire me because of my limited visa, and I wasn’t ready to go home quite yet. So I kept looking on my opportunities or options, and I applied at the CFL, the Canadian Football League, and I remembered that Japan has football too. So I sent out applications to Japan, and a team answered, and they got me over for an interview, and finally they gave me the job. And then I moved to Japan in 2019.
Lourdes: Oh, ok! Did you take any breath classes in Japan? I thought, I was kinda confused about reading that in your website that it took you to Japan. Did you take classes for breathwork in Japan too, or just from Francesca?
Frank: I didn’t do it in Japan from other classes there. It really was just from Francesca. That were these three sessions I had, and then I kept practicing on my own. But in Japan, I saw many more people doing exercises in the morning on the river, like elderly people, also like qiqong and stuff like that. So I felt like Japanese people, despite the fact that they really do work a lot, but they also are more, more… Connected to themselves. At least, that’s what it felt like.
Lourdes: Yeah, I believe that. I mean, they do tai chi, and all that qiqong and energy work for the older community. It’s kind of crazy. I tried tai chi, it is hard. [Both laugh] It’s hard, it is hard! It looks so simple, but it’s a lot of leg work. And y’know, it’s holding those poses and moving around in such slow movement, it’s very hard, I was so shocked.
Frank: Yeah. Well, it’s like really doing something for you with no distractions right? And we’re not used that.
Lourdes: Yeah. So, tell me. You were a life coach, and then you started doing breathwork. When you find clients, how do they find you? Are they looking for a life coach, or are they looking for breathwork?
Frank: I would say it’s a mix of both. So, when I started out, especially with the breathwork. In Germany or Europe, breathwork is a term that you don’t hear often. So literally all of the people out of my network or friends had no freakin’ idea what the hell I was doing now. So they’re like why are you breathing with people, what has that to do with coaching? And I tried to explain it to them, but if you – And that’s just like something I wanna say to everybody who’s listening to this. Just try it. If you never did it, perfect. Be skeptical about it. But give it a try, and see how it makes you feel! And there’s so much more power behind it. I mean, I coach American football players, the modern gladiators that’re going at each other. That is probably the most skeptical clientele that you can have.
And some sent me very emotional and personal messages afterwards, and that’s beautiful. So, since I’m coaching football now for about 16 years, but it’s always more than football. It’s also more like a life coach more or less. You try to help people get better on and off the field, and then now I implement that in with breathwork. And people from the football community find me, some friends tried it, they liked it, and now it’s kinda like a spreading the word situation.
But I also do have a website, I’m active on Instagram, and I have companies that ask for sessions, and teams that ask for sessions, a couple of pro athletes. So it’s growing, and it’s wonderful to see how that growth, and people usually find me through free sessions that I do. My biggest free session was 466 people via Zoom, that was quite cool. But also through my website and social media.
Lourdes: That’s a lot of people. So you mentioned football team. I was wondering, there’s different types of breathwork, correct?
Frank: Yes.
Lourdes: So when you incorporated breathwork to the football team, what type of breathwork did you do with them?
Frank: Wonderful question! So, the first thing that I talked to my players about is how should you breathe? So, this is called “functional breathing.” How should we breathe? Because I do believe, and I’ve learned it from my teachers, and now I see it myself, that most of us humans are breathing incorrect. And that’s just because we have so much stress, we are always, therefore, in the fight or flight response, and our body never really gets the chance to recover or slow down. So basically we are breathing too flat. Fast, flat, and vertically, which means we breathe into the shoulders and into the neck, instead of really using our rib cage to expand and breathe deeply and slowly into the belly.
We’re always breathing flat. And that’s what I talk to my players about. And during practice, when we do our sprinting and stuff, I encourage them to breathe deeply through the nose into the belly. And of course, if you just finished a play or a sprint, it’s kinda hard in the beginning. But, if you are able to take a deep breath through the nose instead of just like doing this [panting], through the mouth, you actually give your body the chance to recover, because nose breathing is healthier. However, there are certain breathing techniques that you can use to be in an alert state of mind, that calms you down, or that gives you energy, and then I do breathwork sessions with them.
We did one last week Thursday… Tuesday, excuse me, which was really powerful. Where we really do a conscious circle of breathing for about 20 minutes, and then afterwards we scream. And then we go into a relaxation phase. And if you see 40-50 guys doing that together, and then the energy in this room is so powerful, and that really opens up some guys that share about their emotions, how they really feel. It helps them to let go of frustration, anger, and so they are clearer, more focused, and that allows them to have a better performance. So it’s team-bonding as well. So, many benefits from breathing!
Lourdes: I am surprised! I am so surprised it does all those things just from breathing! I mean, I’d never heard of breathwork either, until I saw some flying by through my Facebook posts. Y’know, people are doing advertisement and I’m like, what is this? So I started becoming curious, right? And so now, I’m gonna ask you. So for people who meditate, and I for one meditate at times, and they always tell you, cause y’know my mind is first of all going all over the place, I’m thinking, I’m trying to clear my mind, and one of the things that they teach you is focus on your breath. So I sit there and I go [inhales] ok I’m focusing on my breath, and that’s all I’m thinking about. But, I don’t think it’s really helping me much, to be honest with you. [Frank laughs] Is there a different way to breathe when you’re meditating?
Frank: Yeah, that’s so wonderful that there is something called “breath awareness.” Dan Brule, one of the breathwork gurus that is teaching breathwork for decades now, talks about breath awareness. Which is basically really just following in your breath, how it enters your body, and how it leaves your body. So, the problem is for many people, including myself when I started out meditation and somebody told me hey focus on your breath, I’m like what the hell do you even mean by that? And so, really all you do is when you breathe in, and you can try it right now, you just follow the breath. How it enters your nose, goes down in your belly, your belly expands, and on the exhale your belly gets back in. And you might feel it when you exhale through the nose on your upper lip a little bit. And so all that should do is let all the thoughts be there, like clouds on the sky.
You see them, but you let them wander, and you just focus on breathing. And, if that is something, and that’s totally normal, so for people that cannot get into it by this, if that’s too slow for you because the thoughts are so dominating, you can increase that. As an example, I will do a couple of breaths right now, maybe you can hear it. I will do like 3 faster and deeper and breath, and it’s something like this. [Breathing] And if you do about, let’s just say 10-30 of these breath, you might get a little bit dizzy, you might feel a little bit – Right now I just have to smile, because already I’m getting a little bit dizzy. Please don’t do it while you’re driving or doing any other activity! But, that helps you to get out of your thoughts, and more into your body. And so, this little exercise right now can demonstrate already that you can do slow and deep conscious breathing, or faster and more powerful conscious breathing techniques.
Lourdes: Ok, so it’s kinda instantaneous, correct?
Frank: Yes. And if you maybe read the book from Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now, if not it’s no big deal, did you read that book?
Lourdes: Oh yes, I’m very familiar with the book, yes.
Frank: Perfect! So, and even he mentions that if you can’t meditate, focus on breathing. And when I read that, I was like ah! Yes! Perfect! [Both laugh] And it’s just so true, and this is why breathwork can be powerful. Because, it really, our body is not used to do deeper and faster or more powerful breath. So if we do that, it gets us out of our regular thinking process, because it’s something new and the monkey-mind has a job now, it’s occupied. It’s like oh, what’re we doing? That’s why it can help you.
Lourdes: Yeah, ok. So, the other question I had is, have you heard of transformation of breathwork?
Frank: Yes.
Lourdes: Can you tell me what it is?
Frank: Yes. So, if I split up breathwork, then you basically can say like I’m – Breathing is around since there are humans, so that’s nothing new. Nobody invented it in a new kind of way. And then there’s the modern type of breathwork, or the modern type, the holotropic breathing that we know, the founder is Stanislav Grof. He discovered in the 50s that with the psychedelics and music, you can get into altered state of minds. But then, the psychedelics became illegal, so he had to find other ways. And then he discovered that through breathing techniques, if you do them for a certain time in combination with music, you can get very close into the same state of minds. Like, really drifting away. And he did that for like 2 to 2-and-a-half hours. And, I don’t do it that long, but you can if you want to.
I just don’t think that you have to. However, based on that, there are different styles of breathwork. So, transformational breathwork is breathing with a certain method. The way I learned it is you just take one deep inhale through the mouth, let go, and then inhale, let go. And you do that for about, let’s say 30-60 minutes. Some do it 50 minutes. But it has like, different length. And when you keep doing this to music, things will pop up because the conscious circular deep breathing techniques get us out of the regular area of our brain where we have our conscious thinking, and gets us more into the limbic system, where the emotions are. Where memories are. And this is why it can bring up some memories, some emotions, which probably are stuck within our body and mind.
Lourdes: Oh yeah, I believe that. So, would you recommend someone to do that today? Like for example, I’m interested to try that. If I sit here, I inhale through my mouth, exhale through my mouth, try it for maybe I dunno, 20-50 minutes you say, is that like almost a self-hypnosis kind of stage? And then I’ll probably start bawling my eyes off, right? [Both laugh]
Frank: That can happen, but it’s also a very beautiful breathwork session for you if you just have a good and relaxed time. Like, yesterday I had a breathwork session, and one person got emotional, the other was just so happy that for the first time she could let go of all these millions of thoughts that was on her mind. And, that’s the same value, right? Some person might need to let go of emotions, the other person maybe just needs a break from the mental chatter that we have. However, I would recommend that for the very first time when you do these breathwork sessions, maybe find a teacher, find a breathwork coach, and make sure that he explains everything very well and that you are guided. Because, it really can bring up some deep emotions. And this is very very important, because if you do a breathwork session and then these emotions are there, but nobody really warned you about it or explained to you how you can then process these emotions, you’re sitting there after the breathwork with these emotions, and that can be rough.
So, that’s why I would suggest if you do a breathwork session, just find a breathwork coach and go through a session with him. But there’s also very wonderful stuff on YouTube that, as an example, if you type in on YouTube “breathwork” you find a couple of videos, and most of them, there’re really some good ones that just explain a certain breathing technique, you do that for three rounds, and that’s very good. It usually it doesn’t have that deep topic, let’s say a very deep healing session or self-love session, or if you go a little bit deeper, inner child session, or maybe well when you wanna release some fears. So that can bring up a lot of stuff. But these ones on YouTube are basically just more physical than they are mental.
Lourdes: That’s a good point, not to do it alone at first. Maybe, you’re right, hire somebody for at least the first couple of times, right? Cause we don’t know what the heck we’re doing with this breathwork stuff, and it sounds really deep!
Frank: Yes, it does! And like, in my example, the first two sessions, they were good, but I was not hooked. But after the third one, I was hooked. And well, I guess it’s just part of who we are as humans, we try something for the first time, and if it’s not good for the first time we leave it instantly instead of staying at it. And I feel like just talking to a breathwork coach afterwards is such a big advantage and helpful for our journey.
Lourdes: Ok, so now I’m curious. Gonna ask you a more personal question. So Frank, who was Frank before the breathwork? How were you? Were you a Type A person, were you like hyper? And then, who was Frank after the breathwork, and now that you practice breathwork?
Frank: That is one of the coolest questions somebody ever asked me! That’s a great question! So the Frank before breathwork was very driven. I’m still driven, but let me rephrase it. The Frank before the breathwork was very ego-driven to become the best American football coach that I can be of course, but also being a German guy making it into the NFL. And that was my main goal, and if I’m that honest, I hurt people along the way because I was just driven by that thought, “ I want to become a professional football coach.” And this profession is not really life-friendly.
Because, and every football coach can relate to this, also other coaches, that you spend a lot of time in the office, you spend a lot of time just focusing on this one goal to become better. So when I did these breathwork sessions and I had that big relief, we also had a very important game in Japan, and we lost it. So our season was over, we could not go to the championship game. Obviously the expectations were high, and now well, we lost. And I was very devastated. Of course my players, I encouraged them and tried them to lift their heads up, but for myself I was devastated and I was running around through Kawazaki, which is in Tokyo, and I was frustrated and angry. And then I remembered Francesca’s words, “let go.” And so I walked into a little parking lot, and then I let go and I cried my eyes out.
It was unbelievable, and at that moment I realized that it was my freakin’ ego that didn’t allow me to acknowledge that the other coaches did a better job, or the other team did a better job, and just give them that respect. And that made me realize how ego-driven I was to achieve that goal. And, I think ego is something positive, but if it becomes something that is making you restless, that you maybe even hurt people’s feeling along the way just because you think things have to be a certain way, which does not mean that it has to be that for everybody right. Then there’s something we should be careful with.
And so, to answer your question now with this long answer that I’m giving you right now, I feel like I really dropped my ego for the major part. I still have it of course, I’m still a competitive football coach and I also wanna get better, but I’m so much more calmer. So much more clearer on what I want, and the how I achieve my goals is now so much more important than that I just achieve them. Because you can achieve your goal and burn bridges, leave just many hurt feelings along your path. But I want to achieve my goals with empathy, with encouragement, with words that actually and deeds that do good. That’s how I want to achieve my goals. If it’s always possible, I don’t know, but at least I give it my very best. That’s the major difference.
Lourdes: Hm! So the new Frank sounds much nicer and much better.
Frank: [Laughs] I have to say, I like him much more too so.
Lourdes: Yeah, yeah. I mean, y’know I used to be more of a not-nice person either, so it’s different now. It’s much nicer to be nice, isn’t it?
Frank: Yes.
Lourdes: You feel good, right?
Frank: You feel good. And I also want to add that I learned to set more boundaries too, and not just setting boundaries, but also setting them with your intention and acknowledging and respecting how I really want to be. So, if there are things happening that I think are not right, I address them. Of course, in a respectful way. But I’m not trying to please anyone anymore. When I tried to become a pro coach, I was pleasing a lot of people because I always thought oh never burn bridges. Which is kind of true, but if you neglect who you are and what you think is right and you let bad stuff happen, I think it’s exactly the same that you do bad things to others. That’s such many valuable learning lessons in setting boundaries, so yeah. Being clear and calm with others and yourself.
Lourdes: Yeah, I agree. Boundary setting is so important. So do you think you learned that from the breathwork? On learning to have boundaries.
Frank: I did, yeah. Because in one breathwork session, and now you really have to experience it right? I saw many younger versions of myself in situations where I didn’t set boundaries. Where I maybe said yes when I actually wanted to say no, when I was hurt but I had not the courage to address it. When I was angry, but I didn’t look for that clearing conversation with that people, I just kind of like was suppressing it. And I saw all these versions of myself in these situations, and that was such a powerful breathwork session that I had. And since then, I was really reflecting why didn’t I set boundaries there or just address what I was really thinking. And, yeah. That’re good thoughts, that they can hurt but they’re helpful.
Lourdes: Yeah, totally agree! So now I have another question. So, I know some people in my family, they have high blood pressure. Would breathwork help with that? Cause I thought I read something where it helps medically too somehow.
Frank: Yeah. I say yes, but I’m not a doctor, and the most important thing is if you have any kind of health conditions where you are concerned or even have something, please just consult a doctor. But, I do 100% believe that breathwork can help anyone. And I had people with high blood pressure that did sessions that felt great afterwards, because it’s very active in the active breathing part. But in the relaxation phase, the body is really relaxing. So during the breathwork, the body gets in a little bit stressful state of mind, but afterwards it’s a very deep relaxation. However, there are certain breathing techniques to start with that really can help your body relax and calm.
But, on any health conditions consult a doctor first. So if I think back about the people that I was able to guide through, I had athletes that had a lot of brain concussions. And I’ll never forget that one athlete that sent me the most emotional message that I received from another male, where he was saying he’s so thankful and emotional because he remembers certain years from his kids, from his children, because of the concussions he just forgot. And since you activate different areas of the brain through breathwork, maybe that was what triggered some emotions or memories to come back. And also, another athlete had an ankle injury, and after the breathwork session he just said “it’s gone!” So, it’s just gone. And that’s not magic that I’m doing, it’s really just the physical aspect of breathing, because you became more alkaline, and that basically helps your body to let go of inflammation and really helps to recover.
Lourdes: Oh man, that sounds like a very very nice recovery and a story! And Frank, I have another question. So for people who are doing public speaking, and they’re very nervous right? Every time they go on stage they’re nervous. Is there something that they can do at that moment to help them calm down?
Frank: Yes! 100%! So as I mentioned, there are so many different breathing techniques or things you can really do. So I think the best advice first of all, is just try different techniques. But if you watch Tony Robbins as an example, he jumps on a little trampoline up and down. [Laughs]
Lourdes: No! He does not, really?
Frank: Yeah, I saw it on his documentary on Netflix about one of his events where he does that. So I tried it myself without a trampoline. So before I have to speak in public, and I’m usually not that nervous anymore as I used to be, but sometimes it just happens right? Or as a coach before a big game. So I try to find a little spot, and then I just jump up and down a little bit. Get on my toes and down, and then just shake my body a little bit to really get that nervousness out of my system. But of course, what I do with the breathing is I just make sure that I’m exhale twice as long as my inhale. So I try to get my inhale to between 2-4 seconds through the nose, and then exhale slowly through nose or mouth, whatever feels good. Most of the time, I use my mouth.
And so I just inhale through the nose deep into the belly, and then I exhale twice the time that I inhale. So, these longer exhales really help your body get into that state of mind where you are relaxed and calm. So that’s a very very good thing, but if that doesn’t help, it’s a good idea to take 10 deep and powerful breath as we did before, and then just slow it down to deep and slow breaths. So that helped me to always get into a more focused and clear state of mind. And I’m not saying the nervousness is just disappearing, but I have more inner peace with it. I’m ok with it, because it doesn’t distract me.
Lourdes: Ok, so somebody should jump and then do the breathwork.
Frank: Yes! Jump and breathe! [Both laugh]
Lourdes: So what about somebody who has anxiety? And then their heart’s beating faster and having heart palpitations cause they’re so nervous, or they’re having anxiety at the moment. Would they do the same type of breathwork?
Frank: Yes. And the main part, or the most important thing that I would say in an anxiety or panic attack is really focus on the exhale. Long exhales. Because the inhale will take care of itself. So if you’re in the moment… At the end of January or February, covid hit me super bad, like really really bad. It locked me out for like two-and-a-half weeks. And one night, I did have a panic attack, I never had one in my whole life. So, I could use the stuff that I’m teaching, right?
And I could not take a deep inhale because my lung was really, I don’t know the English word right now, but it was very sensitive. So if I took a deep inhale, it already feels weird, so I could not take deep inhales. So all I focused was long exhales, and that calmed me down after 1-2 minutes, I already felt more relaxed. The breath is the anchor. So in all these crazy things that can happen, if you’re in pain, if you’re under stress, if you have an anxiety or panic attack, focus on the exhale, focus on your breath. If you’re able to, inhale through the nose. And then just focus on long exhales, and you’re ok. You’re gonna be fine after a couple of minutes.
Lourdes: Ok, that’s good to know! I’m gonna have to try that sometime for myself when I get all nervous and stuff. So, Frank, I know you do relaxation with breathwork, but what do you like to do for fun when you’re not working with clients?
Frank: What do you mean? I’m just kidding! [Both laugh] There’s so many things that I enjoy. And now that you’ve said it, you’ve caught me in a time where the last two weeks, if I’m really honest, I didn’t do a lot for myself because I got caught up in a lot of projects, and that’s not how I really want to be. So now, what I love to do is just spend time in nature. I love to be in Japanese gardens and read there and just connect with myself. Of course, I love doing breathwork on my own, but I just love to be outside and, I dunno, enjoy the moments I have! I love to build paper planes, I enjoy fun conversations about everything, and of course watching certain movies, shows, and enjoying life is I guess the most powerful thing I can say.
Lourdes: So, do you teach people how to have a business doing breathwork too?
Frank: You mean when they have a business-related situation where they need guidance?
Lourdes: Yeah, let’s say somebody wanted to start a business as a breathwork coach? What would you advise that person?
Frank: First of all, trust yourself. And, yeah, just make sure that as a coach you really, you really really really have empathy for the clients and want to guide them so that they find their own solutions. Because as a football coach, I correct mistakes right away. But as a life coach, as a breathwork coach, I think it’s not my job that I tell people all the solutions right away, I think my job is just to be a guide and show them a path, and that they find their own solutions.
Obviously if I do have experience in a certain topic, and I feel like it’s the right thing to say, then I tell them. But many coaches, I do believe, and I have to include myself because I learned from those mistakes, throw advice to the clients like a machine gun. And well, that can be helpful, but I think that’s not the point of making a client, a human being, addicted to the advice of a coach, or addicted probably is too strong, but depending on them. And I think my job as a coach is to guide the person so they know how to find solutions for themselves, and that in the future they also find solutions. And of course if they wanna come back for breathwork for coaching, I’m very happy to do so, but that will be my first advice, take the clients first.
And then don’t forget your own boundaries and your own self-worth. Because the question I get from my friends, why do you charge people for breathing? I’m like, well, it’s not just breathing that I’m doing! [Both laugh] So, that’s a very good advice. And then really have pure intentions. Have a pure intention, and follow that. The breathwork that I’m doing, I love to create themes and topics in my breathwork sessions. Like one of the most powerful breathwork sessions that I give is called “The Last 20 Minutes of Your Life,” where you go into your future in those last 20 minutes. So that can be a very very powerful and emotional breathwork session, because sometimes we forget that we are mortal. And by thinking and recognizing that, I think one of the biggest questions to ask, is therefore if today would be your last day, would you live it exactly the way you live it?
And that’s not a question we should ask ourselves every time, because some day, well we will be right of course. And there are tasks we have to do, but this is the way I love to teach breathwork. And to go with people through different scenarios, through different issues they have, through different topics. But there might be other breathwork coaches that don’t talk at all during a breathwork session and just let it be, and there’s no right or wrong. But, go your own way. I hope that answers the question right now.
Lourdes: It did, yes! Thank you so much! So are you working on anything new right now?
Frank: I do. I’m part of the Mastery app from Francesca Sipma. That’s so cool, because she developed now her own app, and I’m one of the coaches on this app. So I always love to create sessions for her. My own projects are retreats that I’m planning. I have also an online platform where I do have courses, recorded sessions. And, I’m creating the BreathworkWay Journey, which is a 1-year journey where there are multiple breathwork sessions, meditations, quick breathwork sessions. Let’s say you have an important meeting? Here’s a 5-minute breathwork for that.
You have so much anger within because your co-worker or your boss is really harsh on you? Here’s a 5-10 minute breathwork you can do right now to let go of these emotions. So that’s my main project, but the football season is about to start in a month, so… [laughing] Yeah! That’s why I’m not as good on my self-care at the moment. But I realize this, and I’m gonna change it.
Lourdes: Totally, right? We get so focused on things. So, alright.
Frank: Yeah. And actually what is really important, right? So, yeah. That’s the biggest question to ask.
Lourdes: So, we’re just getting to about the end of my time right now. I have a quick question for you, it’s a funny or weird question. And… Hold on just a second and lemme get to that question…
Frank: Yeah, I like funny and outside-the-box questions, so I’m excited right now, you make it very dramatic!
Lourdes: [Laughs] Alright, so Frank, if you can be an animal, what would you be and why? And you cannot be a dog or a cat.
Frank: Very easy, a bear.
Lourdes: Oh, why?
Frank: So, if you look at my logo, it has a bear in it, and the bear generally stands for protection, because nobody messes around with a bear, right? But I also do believe that the way a bear is walking through his habitat, through his environment, is so powerful, but calm. And they are very connected to nature, and so that’s why a bear is very powerful to me. And, this is now maybe, the very deep truth answer is that I did a deep meditation one day with my girlfriend, she guided me through that meditation, and I saw myself as a bear walking through a forest. And that felt so powerful, so connected. And, I had that urge to just scream and make noises then. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s just the deepest truth. And since then, I just knew, yeah. If I would be an animal, I would like to be a bear, and that’s why I have a bear in my logo. Connection, power, calmness.
Lourdes: I love it, I love it! And so Frank, how can our listeners get a hold of you if they want breathwork sessions or if they want to know about training with the breath?
Frank: So, that’s wonderful. I have my own website, it’s https//:www.breathworkway.com
Lourdes: Yeah, cause you think you can just breathe, but no there is a breathwork sessions, and it is a specific way of breathing. I’m learning that right now. But thank you so much for joining me in my podcast today, I really appreciate that. And I’ll put all your information in my show notes of course.
Frank: Thank you so much for having me, and thanks for these great questions! And yeah, maybe we take all this as a reminder right now to take a slow and deep breath through the nose and just enjoy this very moment, because that’s all we have.
Lourdes: So true, so true. Alright, and thank you and have a wonderful day Frank!
Frank: Thank you, you too!
Lourdes: Hey business owners, do you need assistance with some of the tasks that we do? If so, then you don’t wanna miss next week’s episode, when I interview a guest that provides solutions that can help your business!
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Resources
Frank Roser’s Website: https://breathworkway.com
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