Whose Ideal is it Anyway?

9 versions of right

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

—Quote of indeterminate origin

You know what’s crazy, Subscriber First Name? Each of us is striving to live into an ideal that is arbitrary. The things we commend ourselves for and berate ourselves for differ from type to type. In fact, in his book The Enneagram, Relationships, and Intimacy, Dr. David Daniels suggests to those who aren’t sure of their type yet: consider what it is you own in your life that makes you feel good about yourself. And what do you often find yourself punishing or judging yourself for? Those answers can indicate a triad, a stance, or even a type.

When we commend or berate ourselves, our bodies physically respond! I briefly talk about the chemistry of this before the yoga practice this week. Just imagine: if we grow our capacity to non-judgmentally self-observe, we grow our power to stop the descent into self-chastisement. And what is yoga but the constant practice of non-judgmental self-awareness?

If you don’t feel like you’re living into your best self this week, can you tap into the energy of a number that would support you in this moment? Even though our base motivation never changes throughout our life, we benefit greatly from learning about all numbers on the enneagram. The more we know, the more we see what energy around the sacred circle is available to us, and the less limited we are by our dominant type.

Click on the image above and hit “log in” on the menu bar to access your member area where all classes are posted.

I want to hear from YOU

I’ve been inspired by lovely subscriber Teresa to consider providing a private platform on which folks like yourself can connect. In the meantime, I have a favor to ask. I’d like to create some audio-only content, and I’d love to include YOUR voice.

If you’re up for it, please record a voice memo on your phone stating your first name only, your enneagram number, (option to state where you live) and answer one or all of these questions (taken from Daniels’ book):

1. What do you tend to think about most often?

2. Why do you think that’s what you think about?

3. What do you notice that you don’t need to put any effort into noticing?

4. In what ways has what you’ve taken notice of (focused your attention on) been detrimental to you, and in what ways has it served you?

5. When you walk into a room full of people, what do you notice first?

Email me the audio file, and some or all of it could be included in upcoming audio-only content. If you’d rather record yourself asking a question, go for it! (again, including your first name and type) Thanks in advance!

Upcoming opportunities in Minneapolis:

Sunday 10/17: Feeling Personality in the Body — this 90-minute movement-based workshop touches on the basics of what the enneagram is and then guides students through an extended yoga class in which we move through each pose I’ve assigned to represent the 9 types. This is an intermediate yoga class meant to simply introduce the idea of the enneagram. (taught at Life Time Fitness; you don’t have to be a member to attend)

Saturday 11/6: Yenneagram Intro — this day-long workshop is heavy on information and light on movement, but we do all 9 Yenneagram yoga poses throughout the event. I teach the basics of the modern psychology of the enneagram, using 9 asanas as kinesthetic learning opportunities. It’s a day of note-taking, discussion, and periodic movement that’s perfect for anyone new to the enneagram or still trying to determine their number.

Both of these events are being posted early next week by the event hosts, and I will share links to registrations on my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Many thanks!!

Courtney