June 27, 2025 • 37 mins
Gerson Frau is a seasoned yoga instructor hailing from Brazil. With roots deeply embedded in the teachings of Dharma Yoga, Gerson has dedicated nearly two decades to the practice and instruction of this transformative philosophy. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to the yoga community by conducting workshops, retreats, and an extensive teacher training program in collaboration with his partner in Mexico City, Adriana. Gerson currently resides in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, where he balances his life as an instructor, a family man, and an active community member involved in sustainability efforts.
Visit Gerson: https://gersonfrau.com/
Key Takeaways:
- Gerson Frau's journey from Brazil to becoming an influential yoga instructor in Mexico is deeply intertwined with his devotion to Dharma Yoga, taught by his revered teacher, Dharma Mittra.
- Puerto Escondido is emerging as a significant hub for yoga and surf enthusiasts, offering a unique cultural blend while dealing with the challenges of rapid development.
- Meditation and mindfulness are powerful tools for maintaining clarity and receiving spiritual guidance, which Gerson credits to his yoga practice's depth and authenticity.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Todd McLaughlin (00:33):
Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. So happy
you are here. My goal with thischannel is to bring
inspirational speakers to themic in the field of yoga,
massage, body work and beyond.
Follow us at @nativeyoga andcheck us out at
nativeyogacenter.com. All right,let's begin.
(01:04):
Hello and welcome to Native YogaToddcast my name is Todd
McLaughlin, so nice to have youhere. I appreciate you tuning in
to listen today to my specialguest, Gerson Frau, who is
located down in PuertoEscondido, Mexico, and his
website is gersonfrou.comspelled G, E, R, S, O, N, F, R,
(01:29):
A, U, and I have the links inthe description wherever you're
listening. It'll make it easy.
You can click and follow Him,and you'll find his instagram
handle is the same, if you liketo follow over there, for those
of you that are listening wouldlike to see Gershon in person.
Go to our YouTube channel,@native yoga, and if you get a
chance to send us a comment, amessage, send him a message, an
(01:51):
email, or reach out to us viaany of the platforms. We really
appreciate hearing your feedbackand what you think about this
conversation today, we had ashorter amount of time to
converse, but I feel like Icould. I got the chance to feel
the essence of what Gerson'smessage is, and his passion for
(02:11):
the yoga, his passion forcommunity, reaching out to
others and creating anenvironment where we can listen
and share and be helpful to oneanother. So with that being
said, let's go ahead and begintoday. My special guest is
Gerson Frau, how are you feelingtoday?
Gerson Frau (02:32):
I'm good. Thank you. I just taught a class, and
then I have a little things todo and about to leave to little
town nearby. So it feels good,
Todd McLaughlin (02:43):
amazing. Can you tell me where you're
located?
Gerson Frau (02:47):
I am located right now in Mexico, southwest coast.
It's a little town called PuertoEscondido.
Todd McLaughlin (02:55):
Oh, I didn't know you were in Puerto
Escondido. Yes, I am. Wow. Man.
I was just watching YouTubevideos of Nathan Florence
charging huge Mexican pipe, andit just looks unbelievable. I
mean, so heavy and soconsequential. Do you get out in
the water there?
Gerson Frau (03:15):
I do well, eyes, not at that size. That made that
you saw Nathan, you know, bigswell a couple of weeks back.
But, uh, yes, I do. That's why Imoved to here years back. I've
been coming to this place over20 years. Wow. We have been
living here for the last sevenyears almost now.
Todd McLaughlin (03:37):
Oh, man, I want to come visit you. I've always
wanted to go to play aroundCandida. Thank
Gerson Frau (03:42):
you. To finish a house, wow. After three years of
construction and challengingelse, we are about to get it
done, and I couldn't. I couldn'tgo visit Dharma for the last
past years because of that. Youknow, I've been thinking about
when I go to him as a Dharma,it's been tough to me. You know,
(04:05):
when the construction he's gonnasay, what do you get yourself
into? It trouble? You shouldlive like a yogi. Very simple. I
say, yes, you're right.
Todd McLaughlin (04:19):
I hear you. How do we get ourselves into the
things we're in? But I thinkyou're, I mean, you're a family
man, so that's how, because yougotta, you want to be there for
your family. Yes, it's true.
Yes, where is your Do you mindme asking where your wife is
Gerson Frau (04:35):
from? Yeah, she's from Brazil as well. My daughter
was born in Brazil, nice, andnow my wife is from Brazil, so
we all live here in Mexico andfor this condido, and then,
yeah, you know, it's a goodplace. Lot of foreigns living
here. It's developing since thefirst time I got here, was 23
(05:00):
Ago, yeah, been changed sincethen? Yeah, big change, but it's
still good, so, you know, fornow. And also it's like halfway
to New York City. So now thatthe house is done, almost done,
I want to to go visit Dharmamore often. You know, I used to
go at least twice a year. Oh,wow, yeah. And now it's been a
(05:24):
couple of years since I haven'tgone back, but I take class with
him. Ever, ever, now, ever, whyI can with the online. He's so
adapt. He's so updated, youknow? So, yes,
Todd McLaughlin (05:37):
yes, that's cool, man. I hear you. Well, I'm
super curious in terms of yousaid you taught a class today.
Are you teaching at a yogastudio? What is the teaching
environment?
Gerson Frau (05:48):
I teach online three times a week, Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, 830 MexicoCity time 8:30am and also, I
travel a lot for workshops andretreats here in Mexico and
sometimes in Brazil, sometimesin the US. And also, we have a
program my partner and I, my myyogic partner in Mexico City. We
(06:12):
have a teacher training programafter, you know, a couple of
years, maybe, yeah, some years Iwas working with dharma. And
then, you know, for some reason,you know papers and visa and you
know social security number, Icouldn't work with him anymore.
And well, with the, with thewith the group, right with the
Dharma yoga center, life of yogateacher training. And then, you
(06:35):
know, I, I thought maybe it'stime for me now to do, you know,
what people have been offered meto and then I I didn't feel like
it was right, because I wasworking with the Dharma back
then. But then, you know, firsttime I got the news, I was like,
Oh, I'm going to talk to dharmaabout it, you know. And then
(06:56):
somehow I said, What Dharmawould say? Don't worry about it,
you know, you can come here. Sowhat you're concerned, things
change, and then it was time tomove on. And then I didn't, I
didn't have that conversationwith her. That was my
meditation, right? That I feelthat I was connected with him.
So, yeah. So I said, Okay, youhave to accept that, you know,
(07:17):
change, and you know, now maybeit's the time to do your thing,
and you know, and then I saidno, but I have to talk to dharma
before, you know, asking hisblessings and his permission,
which I did. And then he gave meeverything. And then we started
this program my friend in MexicoCity, which is also a student of
(07:38):
dharma, ad liana. And then westarted writing the manual
slowly. And, you know, after ayear writing, working on the
program, it's we, we createdthis. You can call it, created
the sadaqa training program,which is the teacher training,
which pretty much, honestly,Todd, since you're a student of
(08:01):
dharma, and I say that toeveryone, it's, it's Dharma
yoga, because I can't doanything else, but that, I've
been doing that for almost 20years, so wouldn't be fair. I
think to make something up,right? Just to, just to call it
(08:21):
Gerson yoga, whatever you know,it's everything I learned was
from him, and I'm so devoted. SoI feel so blessed and honored,
humbled to have received thatand keep receiving all these
teachings from him, all overthese years, even though I'm not
going to New York, you know,like through meditation, through
(08:43):
daily practice, through selflesswork, whatever you can call but
you can keep receiving that, ifyou're open to to this
transmission, that he's sowelcome. He's so giving, right,
generous and loving. And then,you know, and then it's been,
it's been good, good pathway,good, good journey that we have
(09:06):
been doing. Adriana, she's alsogreat. She's very structured,
and, you know, she knows how toput things together. I am not
that good. I am kind of similarto the teacher. I'm more
spontaneous. I don't preferclass much. I like to be, you
know, like in a set of SAT, bigmood, if I can. So then
(09:28):
teachings by themselves, theyjust express, and then those are
the best sharing that we can do,right without putting too much
our own stuff into it. Goodplan. So it was a good match,
and it's been good. So since Itravel a lot for that program,
because it's in Mexico City, andalso I travel a lot for
(09:50):
workshops and retreats, and alsothe online classes that I am, I
like to be exclusive onlinegive. And students live
streaming like 100% of myattention. So then, if I set up
a two, three time program herein puertos, Candido will be too
(10:12):
much. You know, sometimes I justcome traveling, and then I'm
just burnt, physicallyunderstood, and I have a class
on Monday morning. Now, I had along weekend and, and, you know,
I, I don't, I don't likecanceling classes. Oh
Todd McLaughlin (10:28):
yeah, just Yeah. Do you think Puerto
Escondido could handle a fulltime yoga studio? Do you think
that
Gerson Frau (10:36):
today, today, yes, there's a lot of it's becoming
like sort of place like Bali,but in a Mexican way, and
surfing, you know, likeatmosphere hopefully stays like
that. We are trying to getinvolved with the community
when, you know, and sometimesMexican governments don't run in
(10:57):
a proper way. So we have to doour own thing and try to protect
and try to, you know, likesomehow be very aware what's
going on, what's happening. And,you know, even myself, I'm
dealing with the constructionnow. I'm completing some stuff,
even some trees. I had to takeit out, but I planted many trees
(11:19):
already, you know. So we aretrying to, we are next week,
we're planning about 10 treesagain. So, you know, we are
trying to do our best for thecommunity here as well. And I'd
love to have like a regular,like people come to Puerto to
practice with me. But for now,you know, I haven't played in my
(11:41):
life exactly the way it is rightnow. It just happened
spontaneously, and then I'm veryblessed. I'm very thankful for,
you know, what's been given tome through this existence. So I
should not change, but I'm open.
Todd McLaughlin (11:56):
That's cool.
Gerson, that's so cool. I hearyou. I a question I had because
you made a mention that you,when you meditate, you feel like
you are able to receive guidancefrom Dharma, even though afar,
have you ever had experience, orhow has yoga And or your
meditation practice opened up aportal, more or less for you to
(12:21):
do that type of communication.
Has it? How is it assisted orhelped that open for you?
Gerson Frau (12:31):
Yeah, I think first of all, you gotta be receptive.
If I go to the house and I wantto connect to your Wi Fi, I'm
going to ask you for thepassword for the code, and you
give me, then I type the code.
So I am asking you, right I amreceptive to that code
specifically, so then I candownload all the data, check my
(12:52):
social media, my emails,whatever. So it's the same
thing. Herman loves to use thattechnology analogy, right? So I
think it's the same thing. Sothey call this humbleness is
devotion, is reverence. It's,you know, asking for guidance,
and then somehow, you know, as Isaid, the other you know, years
(13:15):
back, I was first I got thenews, I was like, Oh, my God,
gonna write to Adam. No, I'mgonna write to dharma. Oh, come
down. What Dharma would say? Oh,my What? Oh, my goodness. What
are your concern? Just comelike, that's it.
Todd McLaughlin (13:41):
So, oh my gosh, I hear you by
Gerson Frau (13:44):
devotion, by reverence, by obedience,
Todd McLaughlin (13:49):
yeah, yes. And I'm curious, how did you What
caused you? I know you traveledto Puerto Escondido, from what
you said a bit before youdecided to settle. What was the
feeling that helped you decidethis is, let's settle here with
the family, because I know it'sa big move to go international
(14:10):
with with children and all ofthat. How did you? How did you,
how did that come to be?
Gerson Frau (14:17):
Yes, first I'd like to mention that I was leaving
Mexico City. I came to MexicoCity 2003 the first time was
practicing Ashtanga, vinyasayoga. And then I moved to New
York, not for yoga. Now thework. And then 2007 I met
dharma. And then it was a smallgroup, you know, the Third
(14:40):
Avenue and 23rd and then, youknow, my life just changed.
Todd McLaughlin (14:45):
You know, was that a magic moment in time? I
don't know,
Gerson Frau (14:49):
amazing. I got good, you know, look at this.
Yeah, it was a very specialmoment. And then I knew at that
time, I said, we are living avery special moment. This man
here, remember when I first gotto New York City was about when
I got there to him. It was his68th birthday. You know, I got
(15:10):
there in April and May, was hisbirthday. And then I knew that
we were living through a veryspecial time, because it was a
smaller group. He was, he wasdoing very intense class, master
class, to our class, like thecrowd that people would come,
(15:31):
you know, I was just fascinated.
And then, you know, I was intoAshtanga, before, which I was
very devoted to. But thenDharma, you know, just was a big
shift. Naturally, I didn't needit. I didn't even recognize it.
Todd McLaughlin (15:47):
It was cool, like you weren't, you weren't
searching for, let me find. Idid
Gerson Frau (15:53):
search, yeah, yeah.
But we, we all searching forsomething, right? So when you
you find guidance, you're like,oh my goodness, you know these
man here on his 60, late 60s,and he's doing this offering
this. Then I took the programthe first 200 hour this, after
years, they start calling DharmaMitra yoga. He never liked and
(16:17):
then it was dark. It was changedto dharma yoga. Then I, I moved
back to Mexico City. I rememberI asked him, Hey, do you have
you know somebody Mexico City?
Because my wife, my girlfriend,which was my wife today, wanted
to come back. And then we hesaid, No, but there is this guy.
(16:40):
And went to the guy, friend ofhim, a friend of mine. And then
in but the guy wasn't reallyteaching. You know what Dharma
teach? And then I start teachingmyself. I had, I had gone
through the first 200 hour andnever had a plan to become a
teacher. Anyway. So I startpracticing. First I went to my
(17:00):
friend who owns the yoga studio.
Said, Hey, I was with Dharma,and then we want to practice. We
went practice in the middleafternoon. All the studio was
closed, just both of us, a guy,but very open, and he goes
after, after we practice, whydon't you? Why don't you start a
Tuesday class 630 evening. Okay,so that was 2007 actually, by
(17:21):
the end of the year. And then,and then, you know, people liked
it was, you know, it became,eventually, a little by little,
it became a good group. But thenI moved back to New York, 2008
and then I keep, I kept comingback and forth, New York, Mexico
City, and then I went 2009 backto New York. 2010 and then on
(17:45):
2009 or 10. I don't remember. Ithink it was nine. I took the
500 hour back. Then was theadvanced training. We didn't
have 700 or 1000 or 800 andthen, and then, you know, they
are just about to move to, tothe other studio, the new
(18:06):
studio, the older one. But thenon to leave the east, 23rd and
Third Avenue, and then to 23rdand Broadway at six. And then,
then we moved to Brazil, mygirlfriend, I she really wanted
to go back. I had, I had gonethrough an accident here
(18:27):
surfing. I had a problem with myknee. And then we went to
Brazil. Then we decided to staythere. We got married. Then she
got pregnant. Then I was comingfrom Brazil to New York City. I
was coming to Mexico, you know,I wasn't able to get a good
(18:48):
group of students in Brazilsomehow. You know, yoga was, was
teaching Sao Paulo. But, yeah,how it wasn't happening. So
Mexico, I start coming andbecause I want to go to New York
and I need some money to leave,I started coming and traveling
around the country, you know,just to, you know, to save and
to be able to be close todharma. Then start working with
(19:12):
the life of yoga program. Andthen that was it, you know, I
was traveling for six weeksgoing to New York and Mexico
City, but then based in Brazilwith my wife, newly newly
married, right? Yeah, yeah. Andthen I was able to travel with
armas and retreats in the US andalso here in Mexico. And that
(19:35):
was very blessing too, to beclose, to be to the hotels
rooms, you know, driving him orwas very, very blessing time for
me to be so close to theteacher. And then, then I, we
have been coming back to Porto.
(19:56):
I said, Why don't we move toMexico? Yeah, because now I can
teach here, and then I am closeto dharma. I can go to the life
of yoga program. I can teachhere. I can travel so, like,
naturally, like a veryspontaneous way, I was doing my
(20:19):
thing. Of course, I was, I'm,uh, you know, I am an active
person. I like to do things. AndI saw that there was an
opportunity, you know, the pathwas clear. So then I was
traveling all over the country,you know, California, Texas as
well. I went to a lot of littletowns in the border with banks
(20:41):
and the US, nice.
Todd McLaughlin (20:45):
So, yeah, that's cool. Man, I love, I love
hearing about your journey likethat, to hear all the different
like angles that you were ableto make those turns and and then
how you end up where you are.
Now, that's pretty cool, man, II'm really curious. Well, you're
speaking an incredibly clear,concise English with me. You're
from Brazil, so I know you speakPortuguese. You live in Mexico.
(21:06):
I'm guessing you must be fluentin Espanol. That's three
languages. Are there any more inthere? No, okay, good, good.
Don't, don't shock me too much.
Gerson Frau (21:18):
I used to live in Italy, 9990 919, 99 and 2001
year. And then I learnedbecause, you know, for us Latin
speakers, yeah, Spanish andItalian, I would say it's easier
than French, but I used to speakItalian because I lived to one
year, yeah, yeah. When I, when Imoved to Mexico, I completely
(21:43):
blasted. So, yeah, yeah,understood.
Todd McLaughlin (21:47):
And I'm so curious, and I know that this
could be a difficult question,what is the overall vibe in
Mexico, with the MexicanAmerican relations right now,
currently in the world, in theyoga circle, I know, I feel like
we all are kind of, likeconnected, and so we don't see
(22:07):
borders. You know what? I mean,like, it's one big world, and
we're we're all connected. ButI'm just curious, what's the
overall joke around in Mexico?
Is there jokes in Mexico, alittle bit about us up here in
this portion of the continent,of course. And I know you don't
have to say anything that wouldbe incriminating, but I just
think it's important to hearwhat the feeling in Mexico is
(22:30):
right now, just with the currentstate of diplomacy and all that,
all that jazz. Yes,
Gerson Frau (22:38):
I think there is everything you know, there is
good parts, there is bad parts,and you have to understand that.
You know, it's a big shift thatis happening, and it's changing
Mexican reality in many ways.
And for some people, lifebecomes harder. You know,
financially and you know, so ifyou really put yourself in the
(23:03):
shoes of Mexican people, and youunderstand that, back then, you
were living in a little townlike Puerto, and then everything
was so cheap and accessible foreveryone. And now, since many
foreigners, I'm not saying onlyAmericans, because many
(23:24):
foreigners are come here becauseof pandemia, because of the big
change we're living through. Soof course, you know, you start
like that gives rise to feelingsthat you know sometimes are not
very helpful for none of us,yeah, but yeah, it is
understandable if you really, ifyou really put yourself in the
(23:46):
shoes of native people, youknow, and then you think of like
the place their land, andthey've been eating there for
generations, living here forgenerations, and now They have
to move away from the townbecause they can't afford to pay
rent. So if you, if you don'tconsider that, you know, and of
(24:07):
course, I understand the same ishappening Mexico City. No,
beautiful city, everything. It'sbecoming very accessible for
foreigns and everything. Butthink of, you know, Mexican
people were living there backthen, and they can just go to,
you know, una Tien Vita, littlestore to buy everything. So it
(24:29):
says, But now everything becamekind of fancy and expensive, so
they just can't, but they haveto go to outside of the city,
you know? So it's totally youhave to understand that. Yeah,
that gates feeding. We are humanbeings. Yeah, yeah, very honest.
You're going to understand thatthen, then maybe, if you are in
(24:51):
the shoes, you're going to beacting the same way. But at the
same point, Mexican people areso loving and so I. You know,
open and have, well, they havethis, I would say, happy, but I
don't want to sound, you know,exaggerated, you know, this
warmth, like they are warm, yes.
(25:12):
Sally, yes. So then, you know,if you understand, if you
respect, if you show themrespect, and trying to do
something, you know, for thecommunity, trying to help,
because also, it's not our faultthat we've decided to move to
Mexico, right? Of course, I tookthe decision to move here, but
I'm, I'm thinking the big move,right? Like, maybe, you know,
(25:37):
some other countries became, youknow, inaccessible to me to
leave, and then here becameaccessible. It's a good place.
So here I am. So what can I doto help instead of, you know,
judge or say, why are theythinking or getting too much
involved with the with thefeelings? That's okay when you
(25:57):
have that feeling, when youreceive that from some, you
know, you're trying tounderstand and practice
compassion. And then say, Oh,I'll be doing the same thing.
And then you react in a niceway. You're helping, helpful
way. So that, that that I thinkwe can we can be responsible, we
can cooperate, you know, like asDharma say, you can cope, find a
(26:21):
way how you can cope with this.
And this is what I wasmentioned, that we have to, we
are trying to, right? We like,I'm very busy, you say, because
we try to schedule this meetingfor, yeah, you know, you gotta
find some I gotta find some timeto help. We're teaching a class,
we're planting trees, and, youknow, it's, there's somebody who
(26:43):
needs and you are in a positionthat you can help, just help. So
I think, you know, you cancreate a little bit of harmony
with all this big change that ishappening, you know, and then we
don't, we are not sure. How isthis going to be, you know, but
yes, honestly, it wasn't veryhelpful for, you know, for like,
(27:08):
of course, economy now Porto hasbecome a place where yoga studio
can be, help can be, can beheld, and some other, you know,
like little Posadas, littlehotels or houses for rent or
whatever. And people might be,you know, my taken advantage of
even Mexico, of course. Butthere are some many other things
(27:30):
that you know, as I mentionedbefore. So, yeah, you have to
try to navigate, try to be, andit's not for others, or social
media, I try to, you know, justif you have in your heart,
you're doing the best you can,you're trying to be helpful.
People sense that. People feelit, you know? So then it creates
(27:52):
harmony, and then, you know,it's easier, right?
Todd McLaughlin (27:59):
I agree, and thank you so much for being
honest, and I think you did anamazing job answering that
question. Thank you. And it'svery helpful for me. I feel like
one of the things I love aboutthis opportunity to speak with
you where you're living in adifferent country, and for you
to clue me in and our listeners,the listener to what is
happening in your corner of theworld, I think, is where how we
(28:20):
can really know what's going on,like the on the ground truth of
what's happening and what peopleare thinking. So I appreciate
your honesty there. And grisant,I know you're you know we have a
small amount of time today, andit's going by so quickly. I know
you have plans to travel today,and so in the attempt, within
(28:43):
this very quick moment to meetyou, to wrap this up, any
insight into just what you'refeeling and thinking and what
you're like, if we go down intoyour core, is there any sort of
feeling, thought or insight thatyou'd like to leave us with
(29:05):
today?
Gerson Frau (29:07):
Yeah, well, I think even for those who practice
yoga, or for those who don'tpractice yoga, I think we are
just here experience thislifetime. And of course, we have
our desires and cravings, and,you know, and wants and needs,
but we can, if we can, lessen alittle bit our selfishness, you
(29:31):
know, through Yama Niyama,through, you know, live in
harmony with everyone else andtrying to be a good person. And
then check it out. How it's lifewhen you do that effort, right?
We are not saints or gurus orspiritual. We are all spiritual,
of course, because we're spirit,living through this body. But I
(29:52):
don't like to put myself incategory, and of course, I
really have this reverence fordharma and devotion for the
guru. Know, but I also see himas a human, as a household, like
leading with the yoga studio,with this clear mind, and, you
know, like, as he says himself,like it seems like consciousness
(30:16):
expressed through him in a clearway. So then there is less
obstruction than we fall in loveto him or to whoever shows that
clarity or that consciousness,that pure consciousness. But I
think, you know, we all tryingto navigate this lifetime, this
illusion of world, and so if wehave the effort, I think this is
(30:40):
the practice that we have to do.
I'm not talking about theasanas, you know, to live in
harmony, to find a way as the aswe're talking before. You know,
there's this big shift coming orhappening here. There's good
things about it, there's badthings about it. There is good
things for foreign and badthings for Mexican, good things
for Mexican, bad things forforeigns. But how can we cope
(31:02):
with that? How can we put ourlittle grain set? No, there's
always a way if, oh no, we mightfind an excuse I don't speak the
language. Boy, you know, I don'tlike those people. I don't like
Ben more than like, but Okay,try to settle that down a little
(31:23):
bit. And you know, like, followyour heart. If you can be
helpful, if you can cooperate,create harmony, do something.
Okay. You want to build a house,work. Save money, do your thing.
But don't forget, it's not aboutit all the time. You don't have
to be, you know, like, 100% ofit, we're playing a game. It's
(31:47):
almost like that, right? Yes.
And then it is like, and thenhow can it's all, you know, I
always say it's all borrowed.
Anyways, I can 6770, more yearsit's we're gone. So what is the
point to the right Great point.
That's that has to be a constantremind in my head. But you know,
(32:09):
you get to that. Okay, let mefind some time to I'm running
short of money, but I'm going tobuy 10 little trees. I'm going
to plant it next week. This guy,you want? This guy wants to
help. So then you you find,check it out. As Dharma said,
How do you feel when you do allthose things? What is what is
life about? Right? So, thesimple life. So this is what I
(32:32):
recommend, trying to find a wayhow to cope, trying to find a
way how to you know you don'thave to show or you might even
think now, if you know somebodyhears me, oh, maybe he's playing
the nice guy. I'm not playinganything. I'm just trying to be
honest. And then, you know, Ithink this is our daily
practice, actually, to help, beuseful, be helpful, and just
(32:56):
good. You know, life, life, itbecomes meaningful. Like, like
Dharma says, What is the meaningof life to experience all this,
this nice experience?
Todd McLaughlin (33:09):
It's good, yes, yes, Chris, oh my gosh. Well,
thank you so much, man. I'm soglad we got a chance to connect
after a couple of attempts, andwe pulled it off. And I really
wish you and your family thebest. I hope to one day make it
your way, and I will reach outthen and and just thank you so
(33:31):
much for doing this with me, andI look forward to continuing our
conversation.
Gerson Frau (33:36):
Thank you, hopefully in person next time,
or New York City or here downthe coast, getting some waves. I
know
Todd McLaughlin (33:45):
I want to go to Mexico City too. I hear it's
incredible. I hear the food isamazing. It's so fun
Gerson Frau (33:52):
food, it's safe.
You can walk. And you know, ifyou, if you, if you go in
summertime, probably might, youmight get wet because it rains,
but if you go like half season,like September, October,
November, so beautiful days andno, September might be a little
bit rainfall, but got it. It'samazing to walk and go to yoga
(34:14):
studios, you know. And you know,a lot of foreigns there, so,
Mexican culture there? So, yeah,yeah, beautiful. It's, I think
it's a good match. It's a goodcombo. That very nice, right? He
has always been very interestedto me that the Mexican culture,
but now, I think, you know,since it's more open to
(34:36):
everyone, see there's opennesstoo, yeah, people offering yes
should come.
Todd McLaughlin (34:45):
Thank you. I will. Thanks crystal. Have a
have a great day.
Gerson Frau (34:51):
Yeah, you have a good weekend. And thank you. And
thank you, thank you forinviting me for this. And I'm
very you know, I was like, Idon't want to. Oh no, no, let's
do it. So I'm glad you worked,and I hope it might help
somebody else. And then, youknow, we are always here to
share what we're living andinspire one another get
(35:13):
inspired. So this is thank youfor what you're doing as well
and sharing all this. I saw Markwas here the other, you know, I
saw something. Yeah, I think,Oh, nice. Mark was there too.
Todd McLaughlin (35:25):
Mark is so great. That was so awesome. And
I loved you. I think, right,Andrew, too. Thank you, Andrew
and Pam, yes, for introducingus. I know they've been
incredible lately. Just here,talk to this person, talk to
this person. So it's been sohelpful. Yeah, oh man, well, I
appreciate your generosity.
Gerson and I will. I'll be intouch with you.
Gerson Frau (35:47):
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you to DARM as well. Yes,he knows that you know the path
so
Todd McLaughlin (35:53):
that, yes, I agree. I agree. Thank you.
Namaste.
Gerson Frau (35:57):
Namaste. Good weekend.
Todd McLaughlin (35:59):
You too. Bye, bye. Native yoga. Todd cast is
produced by myself. The thememusic is dreamed up by Bryce
Allen. If you like this show,let me know if there's room for
improvement. I want to hear thattoo. We are curious to know what
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(36:23):
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share it with your friends. Rateit and review and join us next
time you.
Welcome to Native Yoga Toddcast. So happy
you are here. My goal with thischannel is to bring
inspirational speakers to themic in the field of yoga,
massage, body work and beyond.
Follow us at @nativeyoga andcheck us out at
nativeyogacenter.com. All right,let's begin.
(01:04):
Hello and welcome to Native YogaToddcast my name is Todd
McLaughlin, so nice to have youhere. I appreciate you tuning in
to listen today to my specialguest, Gerson Frau, who is
located down in PuertoEscondido, Mexico, and his
website is gersonfrou.comspelled G, E, R, S, O, N, F, R,
(01:29):
A, U, and I have the links inthe description wherever you're
listening. It'll make it easy.
You can click and follow Him,and you'll find his instagram
handle is the same, if you liketo follow over there, for those
of you that are listening wouldlike to see Gershon in person.
Go to our YouTube channel,@native yoga, and if you get a
chance to send us a comment, amessage, send him a message, an
(01:51):
email, or reach out to us viaany of the platforms. We really
appreciate hearing your feedbackand what you think about this
conversation today, we had ashorter amount of time to
converse, but I feel like Icould. I got the chance to feel
the essence of what Gerson'smessage is, and his passion for
(02:11):
the yoga, his passion forcommunity, reaching out to
others and creating anenvironment where we can listen
and share and be helpful to oneanother. So with that being
said, let's go ahead and begintoday. My special guest is
Gerson Frau, how are you feelingtoday?
Gerson Frau (02:32):
I'm good. Thank you. I just taught a class, and
then I have a little things todo and about to leave to little
town nearby. So it feels good,
Todd McLaughlin (02:43):
amazing. Can you tell me where you're
located?
Gerson Frau (02:47):
I am located right now in Mexico, southwest coast.
It's a little town called PuertoEscondido.
Todd McLaughlin (02:55):
Oh, I didn't know you were in Puerto
Escondido. Yes, I am. Wow. Man.
I was just watching YouTubevideos of Nathan Florence
charging huge Mexican pipe, andit just looks unbelievable. I
mean, so heavy and soconsequential. Do you get out in
the water there?
Gerson Frau (03:15):
I do well, eyes, not at that size. That made that
you saw Nathan, you know, bigswell a couple of weeks back.
But, uh, yes, I do. That's why Imoved to here years back. I've
been coming to this place over20 years. Wow. We have been
living here for the last sevenyears almost now.
Todd McLaughlin (03:37):
Oh, man, I want to come visit you. I've always
wanted to go to play aroundCandida. Thank
Gerson Frau (03:42):
you. To finish a house, wow. After three years of
construction and challengingelse, we are about to get it
done, and I couldn't. I couldn'tgo visit Dharma for the last
past years because of that. Youknow, I've been thinking about
when I go to him as a Dharma,it's been tough to me. You know,
(04:05):
when the construction he's gonnasay, what do you get yourself
into? It trouble? You shouldlive like a yogi. Very simple. I
say, yes, you're right.
Todd McLaughlin (04:19):
I hear you. How do we get ourselves into the
things we're in? But I thinkyou're, I mean, you're a family
man, so that's how, because yougotta, you want to be there for
your family. Yes, it's true.
Yes, where is your Do you mindme asking where your wife is
Gerson Frau (04:35):
from? Yeah, she's from Brazil as well. My daughter
was born in Brazil, nice, andnow my wife is from Brazil, so
we all live here in Mexico andfor this condido, and then,
yeah, you know, it's a goodplace. Lot of foreigns living
here. It's developing since thefirst time I got here, was 23
(05:00):
Ago, yeah, been changed sincethen? Yeah, big change, but it's
still good, so, you know, fornow. And also it's like halfway
to New York City. So now thatthe house is done, almost done,
I want to to go visit Dharmamore often. You know, I used to
go at least twice a year. Oh,wow, yeah. And now it's been a
(05:24):
couple of years since I haven'tgone back, but I take class with
him. Ever, ever, now, ever, whyI can with the online. He's so
adapt. He's so updated, youknow? So, yes,
Todd McLaughlin (05:37):
yes, that's cool, man. I hear you. Well, I'm
super curious in terms of yousaid you taught a class today.
Are you teaching at a yogastudio? What is the teaching
environment?
Gerson Frau (05:48):
I teach online three times a week, Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, 830 MexicoCity time 8:30am and also, I
travel a lot for workshops andretreats here in Mexico and
sometimes in Brazil, sometimesin the US. And also, we have a
program my partner and I, my myyogic partner in Mexico City. We
(06:12):
have a teacher training programafter, you know, a couple of
years, maybe, yeah, some years Iwas working with dharma. And
then, you know, for some reason,you know papers and visa and you
know social security number, Icouldn't work with him anymore.
And well, with the, with thewith the group, right with the
Dharma yoga center, life of yogateacher training. And then, you
(06:35):
know, I, I thought maybe it'stime for me now to do, you know,
what people have been offered meto and then I I didn't feel like
it was right, because I wasworking with the Dharma back
then. But then, you know, firsttime I got the news, I was like,
Oh, I'm going to talk to dharmaabout it, you know. And then
(06:56):
somehow I said, What Dharmawould say? Don't worry about it,
you know, you can come here. Sowhat you're concerned, things
change, and then it was time tomove on. And then I didn't, I
didn't have that conversationwith her. That was my
meditation, right? That I feelthat I was connected with him.
So, yeah. So I said, Okay, youhave to accept that, you know,
(07:17):
change, and you know, now maybeit's the time to do your thing,
and you know, and then I saidno, but I have to talk to dharma
before, you know, asking hisblessings and his permission,
which I did. And then he gave meeverything. And then we started
this program my friend in MexicoCity, which is also a student of
(07:38):
dharma, ad liana. And then westarted writing the manual
slowly. And, you know, after ayear writing, working on the
program, it's we, we createdthis. You can call it, created
the sadaqa training program,which is the teacher training,
which pretty much, honestly,Todd, since you're a student of
(08:01):
dharma, and I say that toeveryone, it's, it's Dharma
yoga, because I can't doanything else, but that, I've
been doing that for almost 20years, so wouldn't be fair. I
think to make something up,right? Just to, just to call it
(08:21):
Gerson yoga, whatever you know,it's everything I learned was
from him, and I'm so devoted. SoI feel so blessed and honored,
humbled to have received thatand keep receiving all these
teachings from him, all overthese years, even though I'm not
going to New York, you know,like through meditation, through
(08:43):
daily practice, through selflesswork, whatever you can call but
you can keep receiving that, ifyou're open to to this
transmission, that he's sowelcome. He's so giving, right,
generous and loving. And then,you know, and then it's been,
it's been good, good pathway,good, good journey that we have
(09:06):
been doing. Adriana, she's alsogreat. She's very structured,
and, you know, she knows how toput things together. I am not
that good. I am kind of similarto the teacher. I'm more
spontaneous. I don't preferclass much. I like to be, you
know, like in a set of SAT, bigmood, if I can. So then
(09:28):
teachings by themselves, theyjust express, and then those are
the best sharing that we can do,right without putting too much
our own stuff into it. Goodplan. So it was a good match,
and it's been good. So since Itravel a lot for that program,
because it's in Mexico City, andalso I travel a lot for
(09:50):
workshops and retreats, and alsothe online classes that I am, I
like to be exclusive onlinegive. And students live
streaming like 100% of myattention. So then, if I set up
a two, three time program herein puertos, Candido will be too
(10:12):
much. You know, sometimes I justcome traveling, and then I'm
just burnt, physicallyunderstood, and I have a class
on Monday morning. Now, I had along weekend and, and, you know,
I, I don't, I don't likecanceling classes. Oh
Todd McLaughlin (10:28):
yeah, just Yeah. Do you think Puerto
Escondido could handle a fulltime yoga studio? Do you think
that
Gerson Frau (10:36):
today, today, yes, there's a lot of it's becoming
like sort of place like Bali,but in a Mexican way, and
surfing, you know, likeatmosphere hopefully stays like
that. We are trying to getinvolved with the community
when, you know, and sometimesMexican governments don't run in
(10:57):
a proper way. So we have to doour own thing and try to protect
and try to, you know, likesomehow be very aware what's
going on, what's happening. And,you know, even myself, I'm
dealing with the constructionnow. I'm completing some stuff,
even some trees. I had to takeit out, but I planted many trees
(11:19):
already, you know. So we aretrying to, we are next week,
we're planning about 10 treesagain. So, you know, we are
trying to do our best for thecommunity here as well. And I'd
love to have like a regular,like people come to Puerto to
practice with me. But for now,you know, I haven't played in my
(11:41):
life exactly the way it is rightnow. It just happened
spontaneously, and then I'm veryblessed. I'm very thankful for,
you know, what's been given tome through this existence. So I
should not change, but I'm open.
Todd McLaughlin (11:56):
That's cool.
Gerson, that's so cool. I hearyou. I a question I had because
you made a mention that you,when you meditate, you feel like
you are able to receive guidancefrom Dharma, even though afar,
have you ever had experience, orhow has yoga And or your
meditation practice opened up aportal, more or less for you to
(12:21):
do that type of communication.
Has it? How is it assisted orhelped that open for you?
Gerson Frau (12:31):
Yeah, I think first of all, you gotta be receptive.
If I go to the house and I wantto connect to your Wi Fi, I'm
going to ask you for thepassword for the code, and you
give me, then I type the code.
So I am asking you, right I amreceptive to that code
specifically, so then I candownload all the data, check my
(12:52):
social media, my emails,whatever. So it's the same
thing. Herman loves to use thattechnology analogy, right? So I
think it's the same thing. Sothey call this humbleness is
devotion, is reverence. It's,you know, asking for guidance,
and then somehow, you know, as Isaid, the other you know, years
(13:15):
back, I was first I got thenews, I was like, Oh, my God,
gonna write to Adam. No, I'mgonna write to dharma. Oh, come
down. What Dharma would say? Oh,my What? Oh, my goodness. What
are your concern? Just comelike, that's it.
Todd McLaughlin (13:41):
So, oh my gosh, I hear you by
Gerson Frau (13:44):
devotion, by reverence, by obedience,
Todd McLaughlin (13:49):
yeah, yes. And I'm curious, how did you What
caused you? I know you traveledto Puerto Escondido, from what
you said a bit before youdecided to settle. What was the
feeling that helped you decidethis is, let's settle here with
the family, because I know it'sa big move to go international
(14:10):
with with children and all ofthat. How did you? How did you,
how did that come to be?
Gerson Frau (14:17):
Yes, first I'd like to mention that I was leaving
Mexico City. I came to MexicoCity 2003 the first time was
practicing Ashtanga, vinyasayoga. And then I moved to New
York, not for yoga. Now thework. And then 2007 I met
dharma. And then it was a smallgroup, you know, the Third
(14:40):
Avenue and 23rd and then, youknow, my life just changed.
Todd McLaughlin (14:45):
You know, was that a magic moment in time? I
don't know,
Gerson Frau (14:49):
amazing. I got good, you know, look at this.
Yeah, it was a very specialmoment. And then I knew at that
time, I said, we are living avery special moment. This man
here, remember when I first gotto New York City was about when
I got there to him. It was his68th birthday. You know, I got
(15:10):
there in April and May, was hisbirthday. And then I knew that
we were living through a veryspecial time, because it was a
smaller group. He was, he wasdoing very intense class, master
class, to our class, like thecrowd that people would come,
(15:31):
you know, I was just fascinated.
And then, you know, I was intoAshtanga, before, which I was
very devoted to. But thenDharma, you know, just was a big
shift. Naturally, I didn't needit. I didn't even recognize it.
Todd McLaughlin (15:47):
It was cool, like you weren't, you weren't
searching for, let me find. Idid
Gerson Frau (15:53):
search, yeah, yeah.
But we, we all searching forsomething, right? So when you
you find guidance, you're like,oh my goodness, you know these
man here on his 60, late 60s,and he's doing this offering
this. Then I took the programthe first 200 hour this, after
years, they start calling DharmaMitra yoga. He never liked and
(16:17):
then it was dark. It was changedto dharma yoga. Then I, I moved
back to Mexico City. I rememberI asked him, Hey, do you have
you know somebody Mexico City?
Because my wife, my girlfriend,which was my wife today, wanted
to come back. And then we hesaid, No, but there is this guy.
(16:40):
And went to the guy, friend ofhim, a friend of mine. And then
in but the guy wasn't reallyteaching. You know what Dharma
teach? And then I start teachingmyself. I had, I had gone
through the first 200 hour andnever had a plan to become a
teacher. Anyway. So I startpracticing. First I went to my
(17:00):
friend who owns the yoga studio.
Said, Hey, I was with Dharma,and then we want to practice. We
went practice in the middleafternoon. All the studio was
closed, just both of us, a guy,but very open, and he goes
after, after we practice, whydon't you? Why don't you start a
Tuesday class 630 evening. Okay,so that was 2007 actually, by
(17:21):
the end of the year. And then,and then, you know, people liked
it was, you know, it became,eventually, a little by little,
it became a good group. But thenI moved back to New York, 2008
and then I keep, I kept comingback and forth, New York, Mexico
City, and then I went 2009 backto New York. 2010 and then on
(17:45):
2009 or 10. I don't remember. Ithink it was nine. I took the
500 hour back. Then was theadvanced training. We didn't
have 700 or 1000 or 800 andthen, and then, you know, they
are just about to move to, tothe other studio, the new
(18:06):
studio, the older one. But thenon to leave the east, 23rd and
Third Avenue, and then to 23rdand Broadway at six. And then,
then we moved to Brazil, mygirlfriend, I she really wanted
to go back. I had, I had gonethrough an accident here
(18:27):
surfing. I had a problem with myknee. And then we went to
Brazil. Then we decided to staythere. We got married. Then she
got pregnant. Then I was comingfrom Brazil to New York City. I
was coming to Mexico, you know,I wasn't able to get a good
(18:48):
group of students in Brazilsomehow. You know, yoga was, was
teaching Sao Paulo. But, yeah,how it wasn't happening. So
Mexico, I start coming andbecause I want to go to New York
and I need some money to leave,I started coming and traveling
around the country, you know,just to, you know, to save and
to be able to be close todharma. Then start working with
(19:12):
the life of yoga program. Andthen that was it, you know, I
was traveling for six weeksgoing to New York and Mexico
City, but then based in Brazilwith my wife, newly newly
married, right? Yeah, yeah. Andthen I was able to travel with
armas and retreats in the US andalso here in Mexico. And that
(19:35):
was very blessing too, to beclose, to be to the hotels
rooms, you know, driving him orwas very, very blessing time for
me to be so close to theteacher. And then, then I, we
have been coming back to Porto.
(19:56):
I said, Why don't we move toMexico? Yeah, because now I can
teach here, and then I am closeto dharma. I can go to the life
of yoga program. I can teachhere. I can travel so, like,
naturally, like a veryspontaneous way, I was doing my
(20:19):
thing. Of course, I was, I'm,uh, you know, I am an active
person. I like to do things. AndI saw that there was an
opportunity, you know, the pathwas clear. So then I was
traveling all over the country,you know, California, Texas as
well. I went to a lot of littletowns in the border with banks
(20:41):
and the US, nice.
Todd McLaughlin (20:45):
So, yeah, that's cool. Man, I love, I love
hearing about your journey likethat, to hear all the different
like angles that you were ableto make those turns and and then
how you end up where you are.
Now, that's pretty cool, man, II'm really curious. Well, you're
speaking an incredibly clear,concise English with me. You're
from Brazil, so I know you speakPortuguese. You live in Mexico.
(21:06):
I'm guessing you must be fluentin Espanol. That's three
languages. Are there any more inthere? No, okay, good, good.
Don't, don't shock me too much.
Gerson Frau (21:18):
I used to live in Italy, 9990 919, 99 and 2001
year. And then I learnedbecause, you know, for us Latin
speakers, yeah, Spanish andItalian, I would say it's easier
than French, but I used to speakItalian because I lived to one
year, yeah, yeah. When I, when Imoved to Mexico, I completely
(21:43):
blasted. So, yeah, yeah,understood.
Todd McLaughlin (21:47):
And I'm so curious, and I know that this
could be a difficult question,what is the overall vibe in
Mexico, with the MexicanAmerican relations right now,
currently in the world, in theyoga circle, I know, I feel like
we all are kind of, likeconnected, and so we don't see
(22:07):
borders. You know what? I mean,like, it's one big world, and
we're we're all connected. ButI'm just curious, what's the
overall joke around in Mexico?
Is there jokes in Mexico, alittle bit about us up here in
this portion of the continent,of course. And I know you don't
have to say anything that wouldbe incriminating, but I just
think it's important to hearwhat the feeling in Mexico is
(22:30):
right now, just with the currentstate of diplomacy and all that,
all that jazz. Yes,
Gerson Frau (22:38):
I think there is everything you know, there is
good parts, there is bad parts,and you have to understand that.
You know, it's a big shift thatis happening, and it's changing
Mexican reality in many ways.
And for some people, lifebecomes harder. You know,
financially and you know, so ifyou really put yourself in the
(23:03):
shoes of Mexican people, and youunderstand that, back then, you
were living in a little townlike Puerto, and then everything
was so cheap and accessible foreveryone. And now, since many
foreigners, I'm not saying onlyAmericans, because many
(23:24):
foreigners are come here becauseof pandemia, because of the big
change we're living through. Soof course, you know, you start
like that gives rise to feelingsthat you know sometimes are not
very helpful for none of us,yeah, but yeah, it is
understandable if you really, ifyou really put yourself in the
(23:46):
shoes of native people, youknow, and then you think of like
the place their land, andthey've been eating there for
generations, living here forgenerations, and now They have
to move away from the townbecause they can't afford to pay
rent. So if you, if you don'tconsider that, you know, and of
(24:07):
course, I understand the same ishappening Mexico City. No,
beautiful city, everything. It'sbecoming very accessible for
foreigns and everything. Butthink of, you know, Mexican
people were living there backthen, and they can just go to,
you know, una Tien Vita, littlestore to buy everything. So it
(24:29):
says, But now everything becamekind of fancy and expensive, so
they just can't, but they haveto go to outside of the city,
you know? So it's totally youhave to understand that. Yeah,
that gates feeding. We are humanbeings. Yeah, yeah, very honest.
You're going to understand thatthen, then maybe, if you are in
(24:51):
the shoes, you're going to beacting the same way. But at the
same point, Mexican people areso loving and so I. You know,
open and have, well, they havethis, I would say, happy, but I
don't want to sound, you know,exaggerated, you know, this
warmth, like they are warm, yes.
(25:12):
Sally, yes. So then, you know,if you understand, if you
respect, if you show themrespect, and trying to do
something, you know, for thecommunity, trying to help,
because also, it's not our faultthat we've decided to move to
Mexico, right? Of course, I tookthe decision to move here, but
I'm, I'm thinking the big move,right? Like, maybe, you know,
(25:37):
some other countries became, youknow, inaccessible to me to
leave, and then here becameaccessible. It's a good place.
So here I am. So what can I doto help instead of, you know,
judge or say, why are theythinking or getting too much
involved with the with thefeelings? That's okay when you
(25:57):
have that feeling, when youreceive that from some, you
know, you're trying tounderstand and practice
compassion. And then say, Oh,I'll be doing the same thing.
And then you react in a niceway. You're helping, helpful
way. So that, that that I thinkwe can we can be responsible, we
can cooperate, you know, like asDharma say, you can cope, find a
(26:21):
way how you can cope with this.
And this is what I wasmentioned, that we have to, we
are trying to, right? We like,I'm very busy, you say, because
we try to schedule this meetingfor, yeah, you know, you gotta
find some I gotta find some timeto help. We're teaching a class,
we're planting trees, and, youknow, it's, there's somebody who
(26:43):
needs and you are in a positionthat you can help, just help. So
I think, you know, you cancreate a little bit of harmony
with all this big change that ishappening, you know, and then we
don't, we are not sure. How isthis going to be, you know, but
yes, honestly, it wasn't veryhelpful for, you know, for like,
(27:08):
of course, economy now Porto hasbecome a place where yoga studio
can be, help can be, can beheld, and some other, you know,
like little Posadas, littlehotels or houses for rent or
whatever. And people might be,you know, my taken advantage of
even Mexico, of course. Butthere are some many other things
(27:30):
that you know, as I mentionedbefore. So, yeah, you have to
try to navigate, try to be, andit's not for others, or social
media, I try to, you know, justif you have in your heart,
you're doing the best you can,you're trying to be helpful.
People sense that. People feelit, you know? So then it creates
(27:52):
harmony, and then, you know,it's easier, right?
Todd McLaughlin (27:59):
I agree, and thank you so much for being
honest, and I think you did anamazing job answering that
question. Thank you. And it'svery helpful for me. I feel like
one of the things I love aboutthis opportunity to speak with
you where you're living in adifferent country, and for you
to clue me in and our listeners,the listener to what is
happening in your corner of theworld, I think, is where how we
(28:20):
can really know what's going on,like the on the ground truth of
what's happening and what peopleare thinking. So I appreciate
your honesty there. And grisant,I know you're you know we have a
small amount of time today, andit's going by so quickly. I know
you have plans to travel today,and so in the attempt, within
(28:43):
this very quick moment to meetyou, to wrap this up, any
insight into just what you'refeeling and thinking and what
you're like, if we go down intoyour core, is there any sort of
feeling, thought or insight thatyou'd like to leave us with
(29:05):
today?
Gerson Frau (29:07):
Yeah, well, I think even for those who practice
yoga, or for those who don'tpractice yoga, I think we are
just here experience thislifetime. And of course, we have
our desires and cravings, and,you know, and wants and needs,
but we can, if we can, lessen alittle bit our selfishness, you
(29:31):
know, through Yama Niyama,through, you know, live in
harmony with everyone else andtrying to be a good person. And
then check it out. How it's lifewhen you do that effort, right?
We are not saints or gurus orspiritual. We are all spiritual,
of course, because we're spirit,living through this body. But I
(29:52):
don't like to put myself incategory, and of course, I
really have this reverence fordharma and devotion for the
guru. Know, but I also see himas a human, as a household, like
leading with the yoga studio,with this clear mind, and, you
know, like, as he says himself,like it seems like consciousness
(30:16):
expressed through him in a clearway. So then there is less
obstruction than we fall in loveto him or to whoever shows that
clarity or that consciousness,that pure consciousness. But I
think, you know, we all tryingto navigate this lifetime, this
illusion of world, and so if wehave the effort, I think this is
(30:40):
the practice that we have to do.
I'm not talking about theasanas, you know, to live in
harmony, to find a way as the aswe're talking before. You know,
there's this big shift coming orhappening here. There's good
things about it, there's badthings about it. There is good
things for foreign and badthings for Mexican, good things
for Mexican, bad things forforeigns. But how can we cope
(31:02):
with that? How can we put ourlittle grain set? No, there's
always a way if, oh no, we mightfind an excuse I don't speak the
language. Boy, you know, I don'tlike those people. I don't like
Ben more than like, but Okay,try to settle that down a little
(31:23):
bit. And you know, like, followyour heart. If you can be
helpful, if you can cooperate,create harmony, do something.
Okay. You want to build a house,work. Save money, do your thing.
But don't forget, it's not aboutit all the time. You don't have
to be, you know, like, 100% ofit, we're playing a game. It's
(31:47):
almost like that, right? Yes.
And then it is like, and thenhow can it's all, you know, I
always say it's all borrowed.
Anyways, I can 6770, more yearsit's we're gone. So what is the
point to the right Great point.
That's that has to be a constantremind in my head. But you know,
(32:09):
you get to that. Okay, let mefind some time to I'm running
short of money, but I'm going tobuy 10 little trees. I'm going
to plant it next week. This guy,you want? This guy wants to
help. So then you you find,check it out. As Dharma said,
How do you feel when you do allthose things? What is what is
life about? Right? So, thesimple life. So this is what I
(32:32):
recommend, trying to find a wayhow to cope, trying to find a
way how to you know you don'thave to show or you might even
think now, if you know somebodyhears me, oh, maybe he's playing
the nice guy. I'm not playinganything. I'm just trying to be
honest. And then, you know, Ithink this is our daily
practice, actually, to help, beuseful, be helpful, and just
(32:56):
good. You know, life, life, itbecomes meaningful. Like, like
Dharma says, What is the meaningof life to experience all this,
this nice experience?
Todd McLaughlin (33:09):
It's good, yes, yes, Chris, oh my gosh. Well,
thank you so much, man. I'm soglad we got a chance to connect
after a couple of attempts, andwe pulled it off. And I really
wish you and your family thebest. I hope to one day make it
your way, and I will reach outthen and and just thank you so
(33:31):
much for doing this with me, andI look forward to continuing our
conversation.
Gerson Frau (33:36):
Thank you, hopefully in person next time,
or New York City or here downthe coast, getting some waves. I
know
Todd McLaughlin (33:45):
I want to go to Mexico City too. I hear it's
incredible. I hear the food isamazing. It's so fun
Gerson Frau (33:52):
food, it's safe.
You can walk. And you know, ifyou, if you, if you go in
summertime, probably might, youmight get wet because it rains,
but if you go like half season,like September, October,
November, so beautiful days andno, September might be a little
bit rainfall, but got it. It'samazing to walk and go to yoga
(34:14):
studios, you know. And you know,a lot of foreigns there, so,
Mexican culture there? So, yeah,yeah, beautiful. It's, I think
it's a good match. It's a goodcombo. That very nice, right? He
has always been very interestedto me that the Mexican culture,
but now, I think, you know,since it's more open to
(34:36):
everyone, see there's opennesstoo, yeah, people offering yes
should come.
Todd McLaughlin (34:45):
Thank you. I will. Thanks crystal. Have a
have a great day.
Gerson Frau (34:51):
Yeah, you have a good weekend. And thank you. And
thank you, thank you forinviting me for this. And I'm
very you know, I was like, Idon't want to. Oh no, no, let's
do it. So I'm glad you worked,and I hope it might help
somebody else. And then, youknow, we are always here to
share what we're living andinspire one another get
(35:13):
inspired. So this is thank youfor what you're doing as well
and sharing all this. I saw Markwas here the other, you know, I
saw something. Yeah, I think,Oh, nice. Mark was there too.
Todd McLaughlin (35:25):
Mark is so great. That was so awesome. And
I loved you. I think, right,Andrew, too. Thank you, Andrew
and Pam, yes, for introducingus. I know they've been
incredible lately. Just here,talk to this person, talk to
this person. So it's been sohelpful. Yeah, oh man, well, I
appreciate your generosity.
Gerson and I will. I'll be intouch with you.
Gerson Frau (35:47):
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you to DARM as well. Yes,he knows that you know the path
so
Todd McLaughlin (35:53):
that, yes, I agree. I agree. Thank you.
Namaste.
Gerson Frau (35:57):
Namaste. Good weekend.
Todd McLaughlin (35:59):
You too. Bye, bye. Native yoga. Todd cast is
produced by myself. The thememusic is dreamed up by Bryce
Allen. If you like this show,let me know if there's room for
improvement. I want to hear thattoo. We are curious to know what
you think and what you want moreof what I can improve. And if
(36:23):
you have ideas for future guestsor topics, please send us your
thoughts to info at Native yogacenter. You can find us at
Native yoga center.com, and hey,if you did like this episode,
share it with your friends. Rateit and review and join us next
time you.
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