I love the sound of the mosques in the morning. And the way that the light filters through all the nano-dust particles. And the rich diversity and kindness of the humans here. And the fact that there is effectively zero crime. As far as I've heard from the locals, it's safe everywhere, all the time.
It's incredible that they've built this place on sand. You would have no idea if it weren't for the construction sites everywhere with piles of sand in their parking lots. Apparently they import workers from many different countries — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines — to do construction work around the clock.
My only two grievances are: 1) it's hottt, hottt — 100+ during the day. I didn't realize desert environments could be so humid? Apparently it's much more pleasant during the winter months. And 2) the perfume/cologne! It might not be an exaggeration to say that 90% of the people I walk by are doused in intense fragrances. Oof.
Oh, yeah! I also got to experience a Tesla coil this week thanks to a friend. Basically I laid down on a special bed while electrical charges circulated around my body, causing an immediate surge of prāna up my spine. It was like getting jump-started energetically — the Tesla frequencies seemed to clear blockages and activate dormant energy pathways. Fascinating how electromagnetic fields can directly influence the subtle body's energy flow.
That's all from me. I hope you enjoy this week's {Body} • {Mind} • {Soul} Newsletter and have a beautiful Sunday, - Ethan ॐ
Ethan Hill Owner, Yoga with Ethan
The voice as complex instrument
Your vocal cords are made up of 17 intricate muscles, each one capable of precise independent adjustment to create an astounding range of sounds. In terms of flexibility and range, the human vocal apparatus is virtually unmatched in the animal kingdom (except, maybe for the lyrebird or mockingbird).
The vocal cord's adaptability allows them to create resonance with a vast array of objects and purposes. You can shatter a wine glass, soothe a crying baby, project your voice across a room, or even create overtones that seem to emanate from multiple sources simultaneously (PLEASE check out this YouTube video – absolutelywild what people can do).
When your vocal cords vibrate, they create resonance throughout your entire body, stimulating the vagus nerve through vibrations in your chest and throat. This vagal activation triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation, reducing inflammation, and supporting digestive function.
Humming, chanting, and toning create internal vibrations that massage your organs, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and can shift your brainwave patterns from stressed beta states to more relaxed alpha and theta frequencies.
Practice Step-by-step instructions to turn theory into healing.
Master the five foundational vowels: Practice sustaining each vowel sound for 30-60 seconds: "Ah" (as in father), "Uh" (as in cup), "Ee" (as in see), "Oh" (as in go), and "Ai" (as in high). Each creates distinct resonance patterns throughout your body—"Ah" typically resonates in the heart area, "Uh" in the throat, "Ee" in the head, "Oh" in the belly, and "Ai" creates a shifting resonance.
Source from your center: Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly. Practice generating each vowel sound from your diaphragm rather than your throat. Your lower hand should move more than your upper hand as you breathe and vocalize. This deep sourcing creates richer, more therapeutic vibrations that resonate throughout your entire torso.
Release for amplification: Before toning, consciously relax your shoulders, jaw, tongue, and facial muscles. Tension anywhere in your body dampens vocal resonance and restricts the natural flow of vibration. Shake out your arms, roll your shoulders, and let your jaw hang slightly open. The more physically relaxed you are, the more your voice can resonate freely and powerfully.
Combine movement with sound: While toning, gently sway or move your torso. This physical motion helps release residual tension and allows the sound waves to move more freely through your body. The combination of relaxed posture, deep breathing, and gentle movement creates optimal conditions for therapeutic vocal resonance.
As a basic survival mechanism, organisms have evolved sophisticated ways to seek pleasure and avoid pain. The pigeon, the nematode, the human, even bacteria — all gravitate toward stimuli that promote survival and reproduction, and recoil from what threatens their well-being.
This approach/avoidance system served our ancestors well. Conserve energy when possible, seize immediate rewards, avoid pain — these impulses kept your great-great-great-great-x10,000…grandparents safe.
But what once protected us now sabotages us. The drive to avoid discomfort leads us away from the gym, difficult conversations, and necessary projects. The instinct for immediate pleasure pulls us toward dopamine hits from phones, processed foods, and celebrity drama.
Luckily, humans have developed sophisticated impulse control through our highly evolved prefrontal cortex. It is what gives you the ability to override your biological imperatives.
The entrepreneur trades leisure time for realizing their dream. The obsessed scientist skips social gatherings to discover a new scientific breakthrough. The peaceful martyr welcomes death if it means advancing their cause.
In other words, if you’re inspired enough, you can (and will) choose temporary discomfort for long-term benefit.
Yes, the biological drive for ease whispers convincing stories: "You've worked hard enough today." "You can start tomorrow." "This is too difficult." But these are just legacy code from the past; they needn’t control you.
The key is learning to distinguish between genuine resistance that serves growth and mere comfort-seeking that keeps you small. This requires developing awareness of your mental patterns — which is where meditation comes in!
Practice with me. Click below to listen to this week’s audio.
Meditate Bite-sized audios to help you become the master of your mind.
"One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among man." — Bhagavad Gita 4:18
The electron tunnels. She does not wait for direction, nor pause to double check her trajectory. She listens deafly to mathematical law, mute, without preference.
The lion waits. He stops his breath as he studies his prey across the Savanna. He is like a coiled spring – inert, yet ready to unleash its potential energy at any time.
The duck glides. She is elegant and graceful across the surface of the water. Look underneath and discover her churning frantically to stay afloat.
The yogi sits. Perfectly still, frozen in padmāsana with eyes raised to the third eye center. And yet he is intensely active — aware of everything, the entire universe humming its great Ommmm as and through his being.
Journal Contemplative questions on the nature of inner freedom.
Think about someone you know who seems to accomplish much with little apparent effort, versus someone who appears constantly busy but struggles to make progress. What differences do you notice in their approach to action?