Nuance can’t be stereotyped

The 4 who doesn’t look like a 4

I hope your week has been wonderful, Subscriber First Name! If it hasn’t been the greatest, here’s to hoping next week offers improvements.

Among the things I learned this week: pumpkin seeds actually do go rancid! Ayay. My body taught me this lesson before I even did the web search. Aren’t our physical beings so wise?

Speaking of wise, I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy the wisdom that my friend Rose has to offer in this week’s video. As you may know, we all internally possess 3 instinctual drives based on our evolutionary survival methods: self-preservation, social, and passionate (also called one-to-one). One of the drives is dominant, one supports, and one is repressed. The order of the “stack” can make two people of the same number look quite different from one another.

A great book to use as a lifelong reference on subtypes is The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut.

Enneagram type 4s like Rose, who are self-preservation dominant, often can’t find themselves in a basic know-your-number class. That’s because self-preservation is the countertype—the subtype that makes that enneagram number look a little different than its usual description.

Clearly, subtypes are a vast subject, so my words here barely scratch the surface. You don’t need to understand the instinctual drives to enjoy Rose’s wisdom in this video, I promise.

Click on the image and sign into your member area to access the class.

Earlier this week I posted these numeric photos along with some suggestions about the intention each number might bring with them as they step onto their mat.

I enjoyed my own personal scavenger hunt as I searched for elements in the home of my mother-in-law to photograph for each digit! Below is the text, in case you aren’t a fan of social media, or if you’d just like a reminder:

When you step onto your yoga mat . . .

(1) . . . remember that being tolerant with your body & how it presents today will ease tension, allowing for greater mobility/flexibility.

(2) . . . be intentional about taking up space. Honor your individuated self as a body that has unique and important needs.

(3) . . . remember that no one fails or succeeds at yoga. Force yourself to move slowly, allowing for receptivity that enables feelings to emerge.

(4) . . . strive to notice & appreciate the strength/flexibility you enjoy as well as the permanent limitations you have. Recognize that your body is unique, but the experience of a unique body is universal.

(5) . . . aim to honor the inherent wisdom your body has to offer about what movement is safe and effective for you. Allow energetic ups and downs to come and go.

(6) . . . commit to your breath being *the* most important aspect of your practice. Deep nostril breathing tells the body, “All is well. You are safe.” It’s ok if your mind isn’t there. Allow the breath to do the work.

(7) . . . and you become bored by repetition, go deep (close your eyes?) & notice the subtle physical changes as you continue to flow. Ground yourself in the present reality.

(8) . . . notice how punchy, “weight-lifting” breath indicates intensity without actual strength. Endless, exuberant energy is chaos, not control.

(9) . . . practice welcoming what’s uncomfortable, even when anger arises. Breathe and burn through it. Self-respecting anger gives one the power to be decisive, activating power within.

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Phew! It’s a long one this week. If you made it this far, thank you.

As usual, please don’t hesitate to email me with comments, questions, and suggestions. I’d love to hear from you.

Always check the state of your pumpkin seeds before consuming.

xo,

Courtney