YOGA AND THE ENNEAGRAM -- TYPE ONE

 INTRO TO ENNEAGRAM:

Class, who can tell me what the Enneagram is?  

Yes!  It's a system of identifying NINE different personality types (sometimes compared to the more well-known Myers-Briggs scale), which is reputed to have originated many centuries ago, but was popularized in Europe in the 1920s and the United States in the 1960s.

Pronounced ANY-a-gram, the Enneagram is represented by a circle with each "type" at one point on the circle.  The Enneagram posits that we develop a strategy for addressing and coping with early life experiences and family circumstances by using our natural talents and abilities.  Sometimes this is a good thing -- we develop healthy coping mechanisms.  Sometimes we go off the rails and our "type"functions in an "unhealthy" range of behaviors, especially under stress.  Most often people fall into an "average" range of response, which is all well and good, but could be better.  The Enneagram shows us a map for climbing out of the "unhealthy" range and growing toward increasing "health" and a better life all around.  (This is a gross oversimplification, but you get the idea.)  

Each of the NINE TYPES have distinct characteristics.  These basic types are influenced by the type which appears on the circle on either side of them, as well as those connected by a line across the circle, to further refine the type.  In addition, there are sub-types within each type....yes, it can get a bit confusing.  For our introductory purposes, we are sticking with the basic NINE.  

I have spent my Covid LockDown months taking a closer look at the Enneagram and find it fascinating.  I kept wondering why I was reacting to the current pandemic in ways that others were not.  What makes us face any challenge, or even every day life, so differently from others?  I turned to my rudimentary knowledge of the Enneagram and took a deeper dive.  I learned more about myself, and about others as well.  A lot of my questions were answered about how we can all face the same set of circumstances with vastly differing responses.  Then I discovered, hallelujia!, that Yoga can mesh nicely with Enneagram work!  Win-Win.

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So, let's dive in.  

TYPE ONE:  Often called "The Perfectionist" or "The Reformer".  Type Ones want to improve themselves and the world.  They are rational, self-disciplined, orderly, organized, fair, productive, reliable, ethical, and eager to get to work to change the world for the good.  They are problem-solvers and "fixers". They are hard workers and strive to get everything right.  

They may have heard messages as a child to the effect: "You are good or okay if you do what is right." So they want to be good and virtuous and fear being bad or evil.  Therefore, they can be very self-critical as well as judgmental and critical of others who they perceive as not trying as hard as they are.  They want to take charge, but also often feel they are doing all the work and getting no help or recognition. Their bodies can hold tension with tight muscles and they may be emotionally stressed, feeling they can never achieve their perfected ideal.

I imagine a TYPE ONE would face the Covid-19 pandemic by working hard:  They might see it as a time to tackle the "to do" list they always have going, basically ignoring the crisis and carrying on with tasks.  Or they might dive into the crisis by getting organized, collecting information from a variety of sources, making lists, making plans, trying to get others on board with their plan, coming up with a solid strategy and assuming all should do it their way because they know best, obviously, and they are genuinely trying to help so all will survive!  Ones are people of action: "Come on, gang! Do it my way!"And they get frustrated when their lead is not followed, because they thought it all through; they were rational, thorough, and complete, and well, often they are indeed right. Still....

Ones can move toward a healthier profile when they learn to relax, give up a bit of control and go with the flow, to accept that others have a different style, and that they, as Ones, are perfect as they are without having to prove anything.  They will benefit from knowing that it's OK to make mistakes and also OK to sometimes just be playful, spontaneous, and enjoy life as it is in the moment.

YOGA FOR THE TYPE ONE:  Have fun!  As part of your practice move into Tree Pose with a playful attitude.  If you fall, just laugh and try again.  Or give that pose up and try a Warrior Pose pretending to be a statue or an ancient Samuri.  Try some Laughing Yoga - just "fake laugh" until it becomes real.  Or maybe find a bit of peace from your striving and relax in Child's Pose, not moving or trying, just being.  NOT perfecting the pose and NOT pushing beyond comfort will benefit the ONE.

TYPE ONES put a lot of pressure on themselves and tend to be serious and goal directed.  If this is you, be gentle with yourself.  Do something spontaneous, silly, and fun.  You are perfect just as you are...really!  ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

Photo Credit:  www.pixabay.com

Resources:  There are lots of books, videos (some humorous!), podcasts (some better than others).  Many people have jumped on the bandwagon, so there are LOTS of people out there teaching with varying degrees of expertise.  I was surprised to find there is a strong Christian following of the Enneagram, but this is not an inherent part of Enneagram study by any means.  Just FYI in case you run across this slant on the study or are looking for it, it's there.

These are the sources I will use for this series; information cited is mostly from the first two books and the Yoga article:

The Enneagram Made Easy, Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele, Harper San Francisco, 1994. (This was my intro to the Enneagram and is a very simple, fun, basic introduction for a beginner.  It will help you figure out your Type.  But I highly recommend moving on to a more in-depth study such as the next book on this resource list.)

The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types, Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, Bantam Books, 1999. (A great intro with depth, but still very accessible and helpful in learning how the Enneagram can foster personal insight and growth.)

Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery, Don Richard Riso with Russ Hudson, Houghton Mifflin, 1996.  (Riso and Hudson are the best known and recognized authors and investigators of the Enneagram.   I find this book dense, but full of great detailed info.  Would not be my introductory text, but for someone with a bit of knowledge or a desire to dive into the deep end, it's a classic.)

The Complete Enneagram, 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge, Beatrice Chestnut, PhD, SheWritesPress, 2013. (All the types, wings, subtypes -- how it all fits together and how to grow in each type to a more healthy place.  Lots of "how to" information to explore once one fully understands their type.)  

EnneagramInstitute.com  -- Yes! People get actually teaching degrees in this!  Explore this website; you can take the "official" test ($12) to learn your type, but there are plenty of free options out there as well. 

Creating a Yoga Practice with the Enneagram by Ali McGhee, August 28, 2015, YogaBasics.com