Action Quote by Moshe Feldenkrais
“Learning to inhibit unwanted contractions of muscles that function without, or in spite of, our will, is the main task in coordinated action.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Somatic Education, 1975
Effective coordinated movement requires learning to suppress involuntary muscle actions that oppose intentional control.
In simple terms: Control unwanted muscle actions to move deliberately.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful control of muscle tension.
Themes
body awareness
movement
control
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- physical therapy
- sports training
- dance rehearsal
Key Concepts
somatic education
neuroplasticity
motor learning
Questions to Reflect On
- What muscles do you notice resisting intentional movement?
- How can you gently retrain them?
A Different Perspective
Some involuntary actions are protective and cannot be fully suppressed.
![“At every instant or stage of a correct act, it can be stopped, withheld from continuing, or reversed without any preliminary change of attitude and without effort. [Ch.12]” quote by Moshé Feldenkrais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/703/moshe-feldenkrais-24975_change_at-every-instant-or-stage-of-a-correct-a_256048.jpg)
![“But willpower is necessary only where _ability_ to do is lacking. Learning ... is not the training of willpower but the acquisition of the skill to inhibit parasitic action and the ability to direct clear motivations as a result of self-knowledge. [Introduction]” quote by Moshé Feldenkrais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e1b/moshe-feldenkrais-24975_discipline_but-willpower-is-necessary-only-where-ab_2062193.jpg)
