As the founder of CYWY, I share a bit about its journey...
I have always been a curious person. As a young adult, I was intrigued with psychology, sociology, and all things metaphysical and spiritual. I have always been driven to connect with others, learn from others, and share support with others.
I took many classes with a variety of schools of thought, including Religious Science, and Builders of the Adytum (tarot). I completed intensive courses based on the teachings of the Berkeley Psychic Institute, and more.
I first came to learn about the Enneagram as I was seeking a parental tool when my now grown daughters were pre- and teen ages. A friend, Maureen Murphy (Mo) who was trained with the Narrative Tradition generously exchanged meals and connections for Enneagram wisdom.
I attend seminars offered by the Diamond Approach and became interested in the teachings of Sandra Maitri. I also found classes at People House, in Denver, and learned from Dee Marcotte and Lori Ohlson. I took classes with Narrative Teachers, Terry Saracino and Renee Rosario.
Using the Enneagram to support me with parenting was like getting an advanced degree. It exposed how we all have unique needs and perspectives. It gave us, as a family, a new, more successful approach to interactions. The Enneagram helped me see my own fear patterns and find confidence and direction. It also was instrumental in supporting an amicable divorce when it was time to end our marriage a few years later. And then years later, supported me to marry again.
I joined the International Enneagram Association (IEA) and later volunteered as a Colorado affiliate Board member. I served as the events and membership chair in my first involvement and many other positions since. Involvement with IEA gave me access to more teachers and more perspectives. I attended IEA-Global conferences, online Enneagram Summits, and any training I could find locally. I read lots of Enneagram books and connected with many of the Enneagram schools, online events and events in other cities when I could.
In 2005, I began assembling and sharing what I learned with others – this was the precursor for what would become the Connecting You with Yourself community and the sharing of ideas and opportunities.
I shared basic Enneagram with large groups as a faculty member of the Aspen Program and as a guest speaker in various churches, businesses, and other organizations by invitation. In doing so, my journey deepened. Teaching required deeper personal practices with the Enneagram wisdom.
In 2006, I offered the first Intentional Living Circle, then called Intenders Circle. This was the next step in the creation of the Connecting You with Your Self free community – its first event. I opened my home and created presentations and people came to connect, share, and learn. Over time I began to invite all kinds of guest speakers. I added a monthly Enneagram Discussion group to just focus on Enneagram and a Psychic Circle to just focus on building intuition. Years later hikes were added to discuss ideas while moving the body.
In 2007, I wrote the first copy of the Empowered Living Workbook, Enneagram from its roots to its wings. I developed what I call the "Choices Map," which simplifies the 9 levels of development into a tool where you ask yourself, "Am I contracted or receptive?" The workbook has become a living document with many editions. You can ask for the current one if you are interested.
In 2008, I officially founded Connecting You with Your Self, as an umbrella for all the opportunities offered to do inner explorations. We explored many valuable teachings in addition to the Enneagram like Byron Katie's "The Work," Louise Hay's "Mirror Work," Don Miguel Ruiz's "4-Agreements” and so many more. I shared wisdom from my studies with Religious Science, B.O.T.A (Tarot), the Berkley Psychic Institute, and more. CYWY offered a monthly Oracle experience that was very popular.
At the end of 2000, I completed yoga teacher training and started teaching in local yoga studios and gyms. I quickly connected the core teachings of both the Enneagram and Yoga and shared that in the classes I guided. I offered a free yoga experience under the CYWY umbrella once a week.
Around that time, I learned of the Enneagram Prison Project and was excited to be a founding member of an affiliate in Colorado. I participated in their pilot training of the online offerings of 9 Prisons 1-key and Path to Freedom. Sadly this affiliate did not continue.
COVID motivated me to move all the CYWY events online. The Enneagram Discussions which had supported many community members with becoming certified teachers, when live, changed to online Enneagram Chats. Yoga was added five days a week . People from around the globe could participate in events. The changes were really expansive for CYWY.
As a Board member of the IEA-Colorado affiliate, it made sense to collaborate with them when the Intentional Living Circles focused on the Enneagram. This collaboration was very good for IEA-Colorado, helping to build membership. This collaboration ended in 2024, due to concerns of conflict expressed by a few.
From 2020-2024 CYWY hosted expert Enneagram guest speakers like Ginger Lapid-Bogda, Renee Rosario, Mario Sikora, Tom Condon, Ron Esposito, Jennifer Joss, Drew Moser, Michael Goldberg, John Luckovich, Michael Naylor, Ben Campbell, Libby Cole, Stephanie Spencer, Peter O’Hanrahan, Andrea Isaac, Hilary Langford, Sammatha Taroni, Lynn Roulo, Robert Driver-Bishop, Frederik Coene, Frank DeLuca, Jenifer Novak, Camilla Fields, Michelle Wangler-Joy, Emile Haddad, Jan Shegda, Christopher Heuertz, Lori Ohlson, Rosemary Hurwitz, Calley Wellborn, Dayo Ajanaku, Vannessa Fernandez, Lori Ohlson, Rev. Clare Loughrige and more.
After the disconnection with IEA-CO, the Circle had space for a new focus; to truly blossom to a bigger vision. It became clear it was time to expand into a truly community-supported platform. I began to dream what that would include and invited community members to share their dreams too.
Several people, Jillian, Kelly, and Melody stepped up to join Sophia and I to host events. Many new events and groups were created and are available for you.
What you see today on this site is the sharing of talents, ideas, knowledge, and more from a place of true altruism. Isn’t it amazing?
CYWY is a community and we love to hear from you. What do you want, what can you offer?
Thanks for reading. If you have questions reach out.
Nancy