Why Breathwork and Coaching are a Powerful Combination
After a successful career in media and fashion, Simon transitioned into coaching, where he combines Life Coaching with powerful somatic practices like Breathwork and Meditation. He supports clients through career and personal transitions, helping navigate challenges like anxiety, stress, burn-out, depression, dependencies, and relational issues.
In this piece, I explore how Breathwork and Meditation create a powerful synergy with Life Coaching, helping clients access clarity, release emotional blocks, and experience deeper healing. There’s a growing recognition of the need to include the body in the healing and coaching process. This has led to a surge in interest in Somatic and Mind-Body Coaching approaches that honour the wisdom of the body, nervous system regulation, and the vital connection between breath, emotion, and self-awareness. Breathwork and Meditation are emerging as key tools in this shift.
Life-changing introduction to breathwork
Several years ago, I stumbled upon Breathwork, quite literally by accident. A family member’s terrible accident had left us all in a state of shock and heartbreak. Seeking solace, I travelled to Mexico, where a serendipitous encounter with teacher Steffy Téllez Schnaas helped me release months of built-up tension in a single transformative session. The knot in my throat finally loosened. I broke down and cried, a profound, healing release. When I left Mexico, I carried with me a newfound sense of peace.
Burnout and rediscovery through ancient healing practices
Fast forward a few years: after 25 years of working in a high-pressure career, I found myself burned out, restless, and exhausted. I had recently resigned from my job and felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness. Seeking clarity, I decided to visit Vana, a healing centre in the Himalayas that had been highly recommended. Visited and blessed by the Dalai Lama, this centre offers ancient Tibetan healing alongside Ayurvedic practices. Some of these techniques have been passed down for over 2,000 years, provided by skilled practitioners and doctors. On arrival, I had an in-depth session with the lead doctor, who explained that meditation would become a key part of my healing program.
From executive coaching to somatic integration
Through the wisdom of resident practitioners and spiritual mentors, I learned various meditation and breathing techniques (pranayama). Over time, my anxiety and restlessness faded, and for the first time in years, I experienced a profound sense of calm, which stayed with me even long after I had returned to my busy London life.
This experience was a true eye-opener and ultimately changed the way I approached coaching. I realised that, to be truly effective, my coaching needed to go beyond the traditional, goal-oriented framework and include the body (Soma). I began integrating Breathwork and Meditation into my coaching sessions, and the results were remarkable. Client after client reported how much these practices helped them.
The growing popularity of somatic coaching and mind-body awareness
As it turns out, both Eastern and Western traditions share many commonalities. The rising interest in Somatic (embodied) coaching and therapy reflects this shift in understanding. Social media, podcasts, and best-selling books like Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score or Dr. Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal have sparked a widespread recognition of the mind-body connection.
But why is this combination so powerful?
Human beings consist of four key elements: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Yet, many traditional therapies, like talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and executive coaching, focus primarily on the mind. While these methods can be effective for problem-solving and habit change, they may fall short when dealing with underlying emotional issues, trauma, or patterns that need to be unlocked from a deeper, more instinctual place.
Breathwork as a gateway to deep inner transformation
I now often begin coaching sessions with a few minutes of breathing or a short meditation, and the results are noticeable. Where it once took weeks of talk therapy for clients to tune in and uncover what was truly going on, now they experience insights much sooner. The breathing helps them access deeper layers, subconscious patterns, and stories that have been holding them back.
Breathwork and meditation are unique because they offer a way to tap into our bodies in a way that other modalities simply cannot. These practices enable us to become aware of what’s happening in our mental, emotional, and intuitive selves simultaneously.
Breathwork, in particular, helps us step out of our heads, release stored-up emotions, and connect deeply with our intuitive body. When this happens, our bodies can become powerful vessels for transformation. We stop standing in our way, allowing the healing process to unfold naturally.
No quick fixes: The long-term journey of coaching and healing
These practices are especially helpful when clients feel stuck and need support in shifting from their mental space to a more embodied, intuitive state. They can also be used at the end of a session to deepen insights and solidify key takeaways.
However, I want to emphasise that neither Breathwork nor Meditation guarantees quick fixes or cures but are powerful supportive tools. There is no instant Instagram-style transformation. Coaching and therapy are both ongoing processes that require time, commitment, and daily work. While there will certainly be wonderful breakthroughs along the way, the journey itself is what makes the experience so rewarding: new insights, clarity, and getting to know oneself.
And, as with any worthwhile journey, the view from the top is nothing short of beautiful.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free call, please reach out via this form, and I’ll respond as quickly as possible.
Read more from Simon Frese
Simon Frese, Transformational Life & Breathwork Coach
Simon brings a rich background in the creative industries to his work as a certified Life and Breathwork Coach. Integrating Coaching with somatic practices like Breathwork and Meditation, he supports clients through both personal and professional transitions. Simon helps individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, stress, grief, burn-out. dependencies, and relationship dynamics with a grounded, holistic and spiritual approach.
Passionate about empowering the next generation of creatives, Simon also collaborates with organisations such like St Giles Trust, a charity for at-risk youth, and the Paul Smith Foundation, where he coaches emerging fashion designers and young creatives.
