Whether it’s performing a stretch in yoga, balancing on one side in reformer Pilates, or completing a unilateral exercise in the gym — we can all agree that one side always feels different to the other.

Here’s why that’s nothing to be concerned about:

For the most part, the left side of our body tends to feel slightly tighter, stiffer, and more restricted.

That’s because the body is naturally biased to the right-hand side — and this is perfectly normal.
Why? Because of basic anatomical asymmetry:

  • The liver is positioned more towards the right

  • The right lung has an extra lobe

  • The diaphragm is attached lower on the right side

This asymmetry means the pelvis will tend to rotate slightly to the right, with the left side moving more forward.

As the body looks for ways to put force into the ground (internal rotation), it will shift its centre of mass forward — typically towards the toes. This drives the left side of the body forward and across to the right.

So already, we can see this is not the symmetrical orientation most people expect.

This forward, rotated positioning means the left-side chain — from a muscle tissue perspective — can often feel more:

  • Tight

  • Compressed

  • Lacking in mobility and movement options

From a movement standpoint, it makes very little sense to perform symmetrical, bilateral movements all the time.

If our goal is to restore mobility, resilience and joint range of motion, we need to train the body to:

  • Expand and yield on the left

  • Produce force on the right

  • Particularly through hip extension

So, if you’re noticing that movement in life or training feels different from one side to the other — don’t worry.

Your internal organs are driving the show.
Accept and embrace the fact that your left and right sides will never look symmetrical or feel symmetrical — and that’s OK.

  • Hips may appear higher or lower

  • Shoulders may sit unevenly

  • One foot may feel flatter or more planted than the other

All of this is natural, and not wrong.

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider:

  • How many bilateral movements are in your training?

  • Are you including enough unilateral work to account for the body’s natural asymmetry?

And most importantly:
Are you training in a way that allows the left side to relax, yield and expand, while the right side produces force into the ground without compensation (internal rotation)?

If one side of your body feels super tight, restricted, or compressed — you’re likely lacking internal rotation, and that’s why your body is pushing forward toward your toes.

Stretching tight tissue isn’t the answer.
Work on getting your centre of mass back, and you may never feel the need to do static stretching again.