Kinesthetic awareness refers to an individual’s ability to perceive and be aware of the position and movement of their own body in space. It is the conscious recognition and perception of movement, and is often associated with conscious or deliberate movements, such as when a dancer or athlete performs a movement with precision and control.

Proprioception, on the other hand, refers to the unconscious or automatic sensing and regulation of joint position and movement by the nervous system. It involves the ability to detect changes in joint angle, muscle length, and tension, and to adjust motor output accordingly to maintain stability and control of movement. Proprioception is an essential component of motor control, as it allows the body to adjust to changing environmental demands and maintain posture and balance during movement.

While kinesthetic awareness and proprioception are closely related and often work together to control movement, they differ in their conscious awareness and cognitive processing. Kinesthetic awareness is a conscious, deliberate perception of movement, while proprioception is an unconscious, automatic sensing and regulation of joint position and movement.