What is the Somatic Enneagram (TM)?

Marion Gilbert, Founder of the Somatic Enneagram, says:

Studying the Enneagram system theoretically is where we all begin. Uncovering essence, though, requires recognition and deconstruction of the obscurations created by our identification with our Enneagram type, which is only a partial view of the reality available to us.

The root of our patterns arises from our somatic type structure, which is in charge of our survival and well-being. Cognitive, emotional and somatic distress arises whenever danger to our survival is present or perceived.  However, by turning our attention inward, we can metabolise our type’s reactivity at the root of the arising of these patterns, giving us the freedom to choose a more conscious, non-habituated response and become present and receptive to a greater reality, with greater choice and response-flexibility..

At the heart of our work with the Enneagram is the process of increasing awareness of ourselves. Somatic Awareness practice builds our skills and capacity to be physically present to ourselves in our emotions and bodily  “felt sense” of ourselves.  As we listen to the body, we can access our operating patterns at their roots, as they arise in the moment. We can learn how to free ourselves from automatically following these impulses and re-enacting our type patterns, over and over again.

Through attention practices, study of theory and physical activities such as qi gong and work to music, you will build your capacity to notice and work with the felt sense of your inner landscape. In this way you can learn to approach parts of yourself which have remained hidden for many years, broadcasting a charge of energy which is what arises when you get triggered.  As you learn how to resource yourself, you can help these hidden areas to discharge their contracted energy so that it's converted into open, free flowing energy - leading to less suffering, deeper acceptance of all of yourself, and greater ability to experience your spiritual dimensions.

 I offer one day, in person introductions to the Somatic Enneagram during the summer season.  These will give you an experiential taste of the Somatic Awareness methodology and how it shows up in your Enneagram type structure.

The three initial modules give you a solid grounding in the rich theory and history of the Somatic Enneagram. and loads of practical exercises to help you self-regulate, work with your defence system somatically and access subtle energies which can free up your responses to stress.  In Modules 4 and 5 you experience how your type structure was formed, coming to realize that there is more to life than the structural way we’ve come to live with ourselves. Here we are invited to challenge ourselves and gain deeper understandings so we can choose a different, less-conditioned way of responding than our automatic, habituated reactions and behaviors. 

 In the INWARD TURN Retreats, we practice together to loosen the grip of our type structure and learn to become more receptive to reality — reality as it actually is. So there's less theory, and more diving into a practical experience of your inner landscape.  For beginners' retreats you simply need to know your Enneagram type. For more advanced retreats it's good to have done some Somatic Enneagram work first.