sounderWorld5 Home Study Program
Segment 1: Guided Natural Breathing

First Assignment: LESS is More
(Also known as: Exploring the Natural Breath
or The Three Breathing Spaces)
and Related Materials

Dear sounderWorld5 friends--

Here is your first assignment for the course. Simply follow the steps below to complete the assignment. Always practice with enjoyment, and your success is ensured.

Timeline: Please complete this assignment by Saturday, April 30, so we can begin our discussions as a group. You can begin to post your observations on the materials whenever you have completed the assignment. You don't have to wait until the 30th.

Step 1. Please use this On-line Check-in Form to confirm that you've received this First Assignment. It'll take you less than a minute. Thanks!

Step 2. Read and reflect upon the article "Three Functional Components of the Sounder Sleep System." The Sounder Sleep System is, as the name suggests, a system. It consists of three different types of techniques that are learned and practiced in a systematic way. This brief article details the three different types of techniques, and the role each one plays in the overall scheme of the system. This is important for you to know as we move forward. It will provide a framework for all your subsequent learning.

Click here to view the article online. You may save it on your computer or print it out if you like.

Key points, Part 1: What is the purpose of Guided Natural Breathing? What distinguishes a Guided Natural Breathing technique for other SSS techniques? What role does Guided Natural Breathing in the systematic practice and teaching of the Sounder Sleep System?

Key points, Part 2: What is the purpose of DayTamers? What distinguishes a DayTamers technique for other SSS techniques? What role do DayTamers play in the systematic practice and teaching of the Sounder Sleep System?

Key points, Part 3: What is the purpose of NightTamers? What distinguishes a NightTamers technique for other SSS techniques? What role do NightTamers play in the systematic practice and teaching of the Sounder Sleep System?

Step 3. The first segment of our course is devoted to Guided Natural Breathing techniques. To begin, listen to, practice, and reflect upon my recording of the Guided Natural Breathing technique, LESS is More.

Downloading Tip: To play the MP3 file, simply double click on the link above. To download and save the MP3 file on your computer, right-click on the link (PC) or control + click on the link (Mac). You will see a menu that includes the option to download or save the file to your computer.

Please practice this technique several times, first with the recording and later from memory. This is a chance to gain a deeper, more detailed understanding of the technique with my guidance and with group interaction.

Important: Your own intensive practice of the techniques is the key to your success in this course and your success as a teacher of the Sounder Sleep System. As you practice each technique many times, you will gain a wide variety of experiences and observations. You will also hear the experiences and observations of your colleagues, including myself, via our on-line study group, sounderWorld5. That vast reservoir of experience and observation will provide a strong foundation for your future teaching. It will help you to become a confident, inspired teacher of the system.

Step 4. Read, and reflect upon the text documentation for LESS is More.

Step 5. As you study the technique, read and reflect on these Points for Study and Discussion. You are not expected to answer each one of these points in writing. They are merely offered to help you reflect on the materials, and to form your own ideas and observations.

Step 6. Read and reflect on my essay, "Movement, Breath, and Consciousness: The Theory of Guided Natural Breathing."

Key points: What are the special features of light, easy movement as described in the essay? What are the effects of awkward, overly forceful, mis-coordinated movements? What is the relationship between breath and movement as described in the essay? How do we achieve light, easy, natural breathing? How does our breath affect our self-awareness and our consciousness? How does our breath affect our emotions?

Step 7. Please read the document, "Guidelines for Posting to sounderWorld Study Groups." It is important that you read and understand this document so that our on-line discussions will remain orderly and on-topic. If there is anything in that document that isn't clear to you, please ask.

Step 8. Share your experiences, thoughts, inspirations, questions, or concerns about the study materials for this assignment. To do that, post an email to sounderWorld5@yahoogroups.com or reply to any email messages you receive from the group.

Have fun!
Michael