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Participants in a recent Sounder Sleep Sominar.
Photo: Christel Schulte
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"You'll sleep better with The Sounder Sleep System!"
-The Village Voice
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The Sounder Sleep System is based on the discovery that small, slow, gentle, physical movements can shift us from an alert, waking state to one of profound physical and mental repose, at will. When you reach that tranquil state, if you need sleep, you will fall asleep.
How does it work?
There are two fundamental, antagonistic forces at work in all biological systems: excitation and inhibition. Excitation is the motive force behind all action, whether physical or mental. But excitation cannot do its work without a finely calibrated constraining and regulating principle. That principle is inhibition.
If I want to shake hands with you, my brain sends excitatory signals to the muscles of my arm, enabling it to extend my hand in your general direction. Excitation makes the movement happen.
But in order to meet your hand accurately—rather than overreaching and poking you in the eye; in order to squeeze your hand firmly—but not so firmly you cry out in pain; and in order to release your hand within an appropriate time frame—rather than hanging on to it endlessly; for all of that, I need inhibition. Inhibition provides a slowing, constraining, regulative component that enables us to coordinate our actions more effectively. Simply stated, we need excitation to do things, but we need inhibition to do them right.
Aside from its essential role in movement coordination, inhibition is an all-important principle when it comes to sleep. Falling asleep requires a generalized inhibitory process in which the overall balance of excitation and inhibition in the brain (called "cortical excitability") is strongly shifted in favor of inhibition. As a result, cerebral processing slows down to a fraction of waking levels and billions of brain cells become "synchronized," meaning that they're all doing the same thing at the same time. The result is much reduced cognitive activity and natural, restful sleep.
The core concept of the Sounder Sleep System is that we can use our own voluntary movements to initiate this inhibitory process, at will. Every physical movement we do produces a mix of excitatory and inhibitory activity in the brain. Large, fast, powerful movements produce abundant excitation and relatively less inhibition, biasing the brain toward greater excitability. Small, slow, gentle movements, on the other hand, produce abundant inhibition, and relatively less excitation, biasing the brain toward decreased excitability, and sleep. (For those who are scientifically minded, a recent study of excitation and inhibition reveals the nuts and bolts of this effect.)
This is the core message of the Sounder Sleep System: You can employ the inhibitory properties of small, slow, gentle movements to initiate the shift from waking to sleep, at will. So you get all the restful sleep you need, when you need it.
Origins of the System
The Sounder Sleep System is based on a lifetime of study, experience, and observation by the system's founder, Michael Krugman. While thoroughly original in its conception and implementation, it is inspired and informed by all forms of human knowledge, including science, medicine, and the arts, and utilizes time-tested principles common to many self-healing systems, both traditional and modern. The system has been proven effective by thousands of Sounder Sleep students in clinics, schools, and hospitals worldwide. There are currently over 200 teacher of the system in twelve countries.
A Two-Pronged Approach
The Sounder Sleep System employs a two-pronged approach. By day, unique self-healing techniques called DayTamers™ effectively combat stress and make life more peaceful. When your life is more peaceful, your sleep is more peaceful. By night, sleep-inducing Mini-Moves hasten the onset of slumber and ensure quick recovery from unwanted awakenings.
The daytime and nighttime Sounder Sleep techniques work together to reduce the stress of life and ensure you get all the natural, restful sleep you need. The tiny movements are so gentle, even your spouse won’t know you’re doing them. And because they’re practiced while you’d otherwise be waiting for sleep to come, they take literally no time at all.
Getting Started
You can learn the Sounder Sleep System by attending classes, seminars, or private consultations conducted by a specially-trained Sounder Sleep teacher in your area. Sounder Sleep Sominars presented by Michael Krugman are listed on our Upcoming Programs page. For those who can't meet with a Sounder Sleep teacher in person, we offer books, audio, and video via our On-line Marketplace. Below are some additional links to help you get started.
People Are Saying...
"I am amazed! Sleep is just not a problem for me anymore."—Bill H.,
fibromyalgia sufferer
"Since I took the Sounder Sleep System workshop I am truly sleeping better
than in many years. I get up feeling well rested and refreshed!"—J. R., cancer
survivor
"After the weekend with you I felt so wonderful! For about five years my
sleep was constantly disturbed. Now I sleep like a baby again. I am so happy!
Thank you!"—Rita Seinch, physiotherapist, Munich
"One night I slept so well after doing [a Mini-Move] that I was suprised to wake up to the light of day. I'm so used to waking up in the middle of the night. It shocked me for a moment. I wondered what that light was!"—F. C.
“Thank you again for the excellent experience during and after the Sominar. I have had nights were I slept seven to eight hours. I can't remember the last time I slept that long. Maybe 10 years ago! You are really a great teacher and an admirable discoverer.”—J. R. M.
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