Being unable to stretch the part of your body that feels tense can be hugely annoying, but there are a number of reasons why this might be the case.

O’Leary says not being able to get a ‘good’ stretch is typically due to several key factors – starting with using the incorrect technique. “People either have incorrect positioning or technique – meaning the stretch isn’t effective – or choose the incorrect stretch for the muscle they are trying to stretch,” she says.

While it can be tempting to push through the pain and see how far you can stretch – especially in the middle of a yoga class where it feels like everyone else is a member of Cirque Du Soleil – O’Leary says this can be another reason why a stretch doesn’t quite hit the spot.

“If you push through the pain, you’re likely to tense up, which means the stretch won’t be as effective,” she explains. “Stretching should not hurt. You want to feel the stretch, but this should not be painful. If you are pushing into or through pain, then you could cause injury.”

“Why does stretching feel so good?” A physiotherapist explains