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Pete Sanders '72 Teaches Mind Over Stress at IAP

Representatives from the swim team with Pete Sanders '72 and Dawn Gerken (both seated), MIT's head coach of swimming and diving.

Pete Sanders '72 turned down an opportunity few would refuse. After graduating from MIT and being accepted at Harvard Medical School, Sanders decided not to pursue a career in orthodox medicine. Instead, he decided to research scientifically based training on the mind's potential to improve creative thinking, reduce stress, and boost a higher quality of life.

Sanders described his work at two Independent Activities Period (IAP) workshops covering stress reduction, mood elevation, and enhanced awareness.

Students and staff were asked what stress issues they faced at MIT and what were the negative consequences of stress. Common answers were the high level of competition, wondering if they were good enough, and the uncertainty of being able to meet deadlines. Negative consequences were migraines, sleep deprivation, bad eating habits, etc.

"Outer technology has given us better machines and energy sources, but at a cost to our inner environment," Sanders says. "Our work can be completed with greater speed and efficiency, but with vastly increased stress levels." He proposes using Inner Technology® to tap the power of the mind to enhance the quality of life.

Meditation has been around for years, but it requires significant time commitments. Sanders has developed techniques that can reduce stress in 3 to 5 minutes initially (20 to 30 seconds once they are mastered).

The first technique he taught was the five-step breath control relaxation technique.

1. Notice your rate of breathing
2. Gradually take slower and deeper breaths
3. Stop breathing slower and deeper at the point when breathing even a bit more deeply or slowly feels uncomfortable
4. Cruise at the breathing rate that feels just right
5. Focus on breathing in calmness and relaxation and breathing out stress and tension

Sanders also taught how to trigger the septum pellucidum, which he calls the joy center of the brain. Sanders said people tell him the technique creates a mellow, energized feeling. His goal is to provide people with an effective, natural alternative to nicotine, alcohol, and drugs.

Dawn Gerken, MIT's Head Coach of Swimming & Diving, said, "Sanders' techniques are fast, practical, and very applicable to the MIT Community."

Sanders teaches biofeedback through his nonprofit organization, Free Soul Mind/Body Education Foundation, founded in 1980 in Sedona, Arizona. More than five million people have completed his training. He lives in Sedona with his wife, Debbie, and has two sons: Brian, 22, and Michael, 20. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.