Exercising in total darkness - or near total darkness - is something that most people don't think of doing. And when it is suggested to them, most people immediately think of reason they shouldn't. There's the "klutz" factor: what if I fall? What if I bump into something? There's the "balance" factor: what if I fall down? There's the "location" factor: where can I find a place dark enough and big enough? Well, the interesting thing is that exercising in darkness actually solves these problems, and many others.

Exercising in darkness is more than just closing your eyes while you jump around. It means paying attention to your other senses - your tactile sense of your feet or hands on the floor; your auditory sense of the music as you move around the room, to determine your location; your inner sense of feedback from your small muscles and proprioceptors, as your body maintains its balance without having visual feedback.

This is an adjunct to your regular program. It should be done 2 or 3 times the first month. You can increase the frequency as you become more comfortable and proficient, or you can use it as a nice break from your regular routine. I myself use it to verify and confirm my kata practice (the formalized sequence of moves in karate), maybe 3 times per month. It can also help yoga and pilates, and really enhances an aerobic program.

Start by locating a space that is twice as big as the space you normally exercise in. Make sure it is clear. Have a first aid handy. To achieve darkness, a windowless basement is best. A large living room can be turned dark by covering the windows with thick curtains or blankets (but take them down before your family comes home!). For the first few times, use a routine that is easily learned, or one that you are confident in your ability to perform with your eyes closed. Listen to the feedback from your body as you move through the routine, especially the adjustments your small support muscles make. You probably were never aware of how many times your feet seek a new position on their own, or how often your back aligns itself without you thinking about it.

Exercising in the dark will help you learn about how your body interacts with itself, and which senses you really rely on. It will help you strengthen and develop all your senses, even sight. And just as importantly, you will develop a new skill - mastery over your body and the ability to process feedback from your movements. This is a skill that can be transferred to all your exercise, and life in general.

ERIK CARTER maintains a Fitness Portal at http://fitnessportal.bravehost.com and the "Fitness And Mindness Blog" at http://fitnessbooks.blogspot.com.