Psychogenic muscle movement disorders often involve psychological components such as anxiety, tension, and fear. These emotions are often rooted in deeper internal psychological structures. One key concept worth exploring in this context is self-objectification.

What is Self-Objectification?

Self-objectification occurs when individuals primarily perceive themselves as objects to be evaluated, believing their worth is largely determined by how their appearance is judged by others. This focus often neglects their own abilities, personality, and intrinsic qualities.

Key Aspects of Self-Objectification

1. External Perspective:
   Individuals internalize an external observer’s gaze, constantly scrutinizing how their body appears to others rather than experiencing their body from their own internal perspective. This often manifests as excessive concern about how one looks to others while disregarding genuine inner sensations and feelings.
2. Appearance Over Functionality:
   A heightened focus on outward appearance leads to a neglect of what the body can do and how it feels.

Impacts of Self-Objectification

Self-objectification can lead to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. It weakens the connection between a person and their own body, reducing their sense of self-worth.

Overcoming Self-Objectification in Muscle Function Training

When practicing movements or exercises, try to let go of the external perspective of how you appear and focus on two main points:

1. The Function of the Movement:
   Concentrate on successfully completing the action.
2. Your Comfort:
   Pay attention to how the movement feels, ensuring it is comfortable and natural for you.

For individuals accustomed to self-objectification, the inner conflict often stems from a pursuit of beauty combined with a fear of lacking it. This obsession may be rooted in past experiences of being excessively criticized or devalued for their physical posture or appearance during formative years.

If it is difficult to let go of the pursuit of beauty entirely, it is essential to pursue it correctly. Excessive attention, control, and self-consciousness cannot create or convey genuine beauty.

Instead, any movement that achieves its function well while feeling comfortable to the individual will inherently appear graceful. For example, in dance, a “beautiful” pose is achieved when the movement is completed while finding the most comfortable and natural internal state. Such poses are inherently beautiful.

The Definition of Beauty

Beauty is natural, unforced. It is neither artificial nor contrived. Beauty is authenticity, ease, and spontaneity.

This is why animals in nature are beautiful. Their movements and postures are governed by two principles:

1. Interacting with their environment to fulfill specific functions.
2. Maintaining a comfortable, natural internal state.

Beauty is inherent and effortless. Every person is born with it.

To be genuine and true to oneself, without pretense or struggle, is enough.

The Natural Grace in Art and Performance

This explains why the figures in Auguste Rodin’s sculptures, even when expressing pain, are beautiful. They are natural and authentic. The individuals in his works exist in their own natural states, using their most comfortable and genuine posture to process their emotions. Their movements embody functionality—helping them navigate and “comfortably” process their emotional experiences. This authenticity is what gives these figures their powerful, raw vitality, surpassing the appeal of posed models.

Musicians follow a similar principle. The focus of a performer is:

1. Completing the function—communicating sound.
2. Achieving comfort—finding a state where emotions and feelings can flow freely.

Avoiding the Trap of the External Gaze

Do not let the external gaze interfere. It is a trap, an obsession.

Recognize it, sidestep it, and let it go.