Taking the Embodiment Tradition to the IEA Enneagram Experience
Presenting on creativity and the Enneagram at the IEA 2025 Enneagram Experience
By Dr. Ali McGhee
It was a dream come true to present at the International Enneagram Association's "Enneagram Experience" – their bi-annual global conference, which took place this year in Minneapolis, MN. Technically, it was at the Mall of America, and I will absolutely be talking about my experience later in this post.
The conference brings hundreds of Enneagrammers together, from enthusiasts to the experienced. It's a highlight for people working with the Enneagram. This year's program offered a rich depth and breadth of sessions, including a presentation on what Sufi mystics and Gurdjieff say about "the Complete Human" from Dina Elbadry, a new way to work with the Instincts from Ginger Lapid-Bogda and Sharon Ball, a deep dive into using natural imagery to unlock new Enneagram insights from Stephanie J. Spencer, a presentation on Essence from ESOA's own cofounder Tammy Hendrix, and an experiential breath work session from Jessica Dibbs.
The closing Future Frontiers Panel with Pedro Espadas, Lucille Greeff, Christopher Copeland, and Dina Elbadry. Moderated by Tom Johansen.
I had a wonderful time leading my own workshop, on how to join your Enneagram exploration to your creative practice using tools from the Embodiment Tradition and Poetic Medicine. The room was full, and people were excited to engage with the Enneagram in a new way.
Together, we got into an Embodied Type 8, read poetry, wrote, and shared deep insights and the beginnings of new writing. I was thrilled to receive feedback from attendees who hadn't picked up a pen to write in years, but who left the workshop with new ideas and characters full of personality. I also heard from a few Type 8s (and others!) in the audience that they loved the way the Embodiment and the creative practice opened up access to more empathy for people as they experienced the type.
If you're curious about how to weave a creative practice into your Enneagram work – or about Embodiment more generally – I'm thrilled to say that there are just two spots remaining in this year's Level 1 Certification in the Embodiment Tradition.
I'm not going to lie: I also spent quite a bit of time in the Mall of America, which was accessible from the conference hotel via a skybridge. From meals with new and old friends to wandering around trying to find stores or just getting some movement in, my mall adventures were chaotic and a lot of fun. A couple of places warranted repeated business: Ebisu, a Japanese / Asian store filled with toys, snacks, and beauty items, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, and Niko Niko Boba, which features flavors like Peach Blossom Ube Cream and Tiger Sugar Creme Brulee.
I didn't even mention the Enneagram-themed VR experience (Pause 9, from Deep Living Lab) or the dance party at the conference gala.
The IEA is the global accrediting body for the Enneagram. It plays a critical part in supporting professionals and students invested in working with this powerful technology in an ethical way that honors legacy and tradition while supporting innovative futures. I can't recommend membership enough.
DYK: The ESOA is currently one of only two Accredited Schools on the East Coast. That means that we have made a commitment to the IEA's ethics and guidelines, and that all faculty at our schools are Accredited (we also have apprentices working towards Accreditation, and we support all former students in the accreditation process). We want to be the gold standard, and for us there's no better way to show it. We'd love for you to join us in an upcoming training on your own Accreditation journey.
