When we think about how we experience the world, we often rely on the big five: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. But there’s another sense working quietly in the background, one we hardly notice yet depend on constantly.

It’s called proprioception (Pro·pri·o·cep·tion).

Proprioception is your body’s ability to sense where it is in space, even when you’re not looking. It’s the reason you can scratch your nose with your eyes closed or walk without staring at your feet.

If you’ve never heard of proprioception, you’re not alone. This hidden sense operates in the background, helping you navigate the world effortlessly.

What is Proprioception?

Sometimes called the “sixth sense,” proprioception is an internal feedback system that tells your brain what your body is doing at any moment.

Sensors in your muscles, joints, and tendons send signals to your brain, keeping it updated on where your limbs are, how they’re moving, and how much pressure or force is being applied.

Think of it as your body’s built-in GPS. It constantly tracks your position and movement, allowing you to move smoothly and efficiently through the world. It’s so automatic that you hardly think about it.

Try This Simple Exercise

Want to experience proprioception firsthand? Try this quick exercise:

1. Stand up and close your eyes.
2. Without looking, lift your right arm in front of you until it’s parallel to the ground and hold it there.
3. Now, using your left hand, try to touch the tip of your right index finger—without opening your eyes or touching any other part of your hand.

How did you do?

Even if you missed by a little, the fact that your body could get you close without seeing is proprioception at work. Your brain knew where your arm and fingers were, even without visual input.

Why Proprioception Matters

Most people don’t think about proprioception Yet, it’s critical for balance, posture, and coordination.

While losing sight, hearing, or even taste would be unimaginable, many people find ways to adapt. But without proprioception, simple tasks like standing upright or picking up a glass of water would become nearly impossible. It’s the hidden sense that keeps you functioning every moment, often without your awareness.

Proprioception and Self-Awareness

Proprioception doesn’t just help you physically navigate the world—it’s also deeply tied to self-awareness.

Paying attention to how your body moves and reacts can help you connect more deeply with yourself. This awareness isn’t just about movement—it also reveals emotional and mental patterns.

Think about the last time you were stressed.

Did your body tense up? Did your shoulders rise or did your jaw clench?

Maybe you noticed yourself fidgeting.

That’s proprioception, providing subtle feedback about your body’s response to your emotions. The more you tune into these signals, the more you’ll understand how your body reflects what’s going on inside your mind.

Why Proprioception is Key to Self-Discovery

Often, we’re “deaf” to what our bodies are trying to tell us. In fact, many of us unknowingly shut ourselves off from the valuable insights our bodily sensations can offer.

For instance, I’m often surprised by how long it takes me to realize I’m stressed—usually not until I feel a headache coming on or that familiar “pain in the neck.”

The signals were there all along, but I ignored them, sometimes for hours. Once I learned to tune into these subtle sensations, I found I could catch myself earlier and make adjustments before reaching the point of discomfort.

Tuning into your body’s signals is the first step toward recognizing patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s surprising how much your body reveals about you when you truly listen.

This connection between physical awareness and self-understanding is something we explored in last Sunday’s session of “Getting to Know Yourself 101.”

As our group experienced firsthand, improving our ability to sense ourselves leads to fresh insights about how we think and feel, helping us grow in unexpected ways.

So the next time you walk across the room without looking at your feet or reach for something without checking where your hand is, take a moment to appreciate proprioception—the hidden sense that keeps you moving and connected to yourself, every single day!