Customer Reviews

The Genius of Flexibility: The Smart Way to Stretch and Strengthen Your Body

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If you've already tried everything, and you're SERIOUS about increasing flexibility, there are 3 essential books you must read about stretching: Relax Into Stretch by Pavel Tsatsouline, Stretching Scientifically by Thomas Kurz, and The Genius of Flexibility by Bob Cooley.

That being said, there are a few points to consider before buying this book:

1. Cooley has the background and credentials to be considered an expert on flexibility training. (work with Olympic athletes, Meridian Flexibility System founder, etc...) That being said, you have to forgive his eccentricities and get to the heart of what's in the book...how to use resistance stretching techniques safely and effectively.

2. The heart of the book (which is 302 pp. long) can be found in Chapters 2 and 3 (pp. 17-28) and the stretches (Level 1 Workout, pp. 88-119) That's really all you need to read. Why do I say that? Because (1) unless you believe increased flexibility will improve your love life, personality, awareness, concentration, physiological and psychological health, and give you spiritual insight about the universe, you don't need to read the other chapters. (I'm not joking, the list above only scratches the surface of the claims made by Cooley concerning flexibility) and (2) If you can do the stretches in Levels 2-3 you probably don't need to read this book.

3. Sometimes Cooley's world view of flexibility negatively affects the book. For example, in all of the stretch routines, he doesn't tell you what muscles you are actually targeting for stretch...instead there's a number code for a chart you refer to that let's you know that particular stretch "improves circulation and increases the health of your pancreas".

4. For me, this book was readable because I've already read Relax Into Stretch (see my review) and Stretching Scientifically. I would ABSOLUTELY NOT recommend this book for beginners who haven't already read those 2 other books.

5. Bottomline: Ignore the kooky theories about flexibility and its' application to personality and holistic healing (which unfortunately is about 75% of the book) and there is some extremely valuable information about resistance stretching.

6. The reason I didn't completely dismiss the book is I applied his techniques and I was able to stretch deeper in a forward bend stretch (page 98) than I have in my entire life. This is true and it amazed me, after only reading the first 2 chapters of the book. Only problem is I didn't warm-up and 12 hours later my lower back is still sore.

Good book but don't say I didn't warn you.

I have some background in this kind of health/exercise philosophy, so I was interested in what Cooley had to offer.I practice Bikram style Hatha Yoga, and I include "Anma Shiatsu" (Japanese "acupressure" oriented bodywork) as part of the services I offer as a licensed massage therapist. I've also practiced three methods of Chi Kung (18 Buddha Hands, Muscle Tendon Change, and Flying Phoenix),lifted weights and practiced martial arts oriented calisthentics for more thana decade. So I know a bit about the so-called 'meridians' on which Cooley's method is based. And I have to admit that I am impressed and enthusiastic about what Cooley reveals here.

I've experimented with the first two courses of 'resistance' stretches that Cooley's book offers for the last month. I agree with one of the previous reviewers - you do have to 'dig' into them. It takes concentration to do them correctly and you expend a fair amount of energy pitting muscle groups against each other. It's very reminiscent of the old Atlas-style 'dynamic tension' exercises. But the Atlas exercises were good exercises, and people who stuck with them and did them faithfully gained great benefit from them. I am convinced that this would be the case with Cooley's system as well. I actually could feel some of the stretches increasing the energy flow through well defined pathways (not always the ones depicted in the book) and in a few cases, could actually feel a tug in my liver and spleen and prostate and lungs.

Spend 20-40 minutes performing 16 resistance stretches properly, with good concentration and effort, and you will feel as if you've had one of the most thorough and beneficial workouts of your life. And if you overdo it, you WILL be tired and sore the next day. (And I speak as someone who has managed numerous 90 minute 'Hot Yoga' sessions). So these drills need to be approached with respect and caution.

The book is not a perfect introduction to the method. Some of the photographs are less than helpful to anyone not already familiar with yoga or 'Makko Ho' poses, and the photographer made the mistake of having the models smiling and looking at the camera instead of keeping their heads and necks in the proper alignment. Also, some of the exercises in the beginners level routine seem actually more difficult to learn and perform than the more 'advanced' exercises in the later routines. (The "Level 1.0" DVD offered by Cooley's website corrects most of these problems.)

In addition, many people will have no patience or interest in the 'personality traits' ideas which take up quite a bit of the book. I have enough background in TCM and Oriental bodywork that I actually understand and agree in principle with most of these ideas (as 'tendencies',not 'absolutes'),but this will be heavy going for a lot of people. I suspect Cooley may lose as many people as he converts with the inclusion of this aspect of bodywork. To be fair, his extended descriptions of the more 'esoteric' benefits of each of the exercises are no worse than those of a typical Hatha Yoga or Kundalini Yoga book.

As mentioned above, Cooley's website offers a inexpensive 'bare bones' DVD with live demonstrations of the beginners' level exercises (and some alternative versions of four of them). This DVD clarifies many of the questions raised by the book and would be a valuable supplement.

In summary, I felt this book was a worthwhile purchase, and I intend to explore the ideas and techniques presented here more thoroughly - possibly finding a certified instructor or attending a seminar in the near future. Worth checking out for anyone interested in unusual or more 'esoteric' aspects of health and fitness.

I was very disappointed with this book. I had been waiting for some time for this book to come out, as I had heard good things about this flexibility/stretching system.

While this stretching system may or not be an effective way of increasing flexibility, it was hard for me to tell based on the book. What I view as the core of the book--the pictures and text explaining the exercises--was very hard to follow. There were not enough pictures and not enough specific instructions about what to do with specific limbs/muscles, etc. to really get a good sense of how to do some of the exercises.

For me, the author spent too much time discussing his fairly esoteric model of personality types and how stretching fits into this. I have no idea whether there's any validity to his theories but I found them hard to follow. I was doubtful just on the basis of the grandiose and ambitious nature of the claims made.

There are other reviews that are more glowing but I suspect they are written by people who already have taken classes (only offered in limited areas) in this system and have become "converted" to the system and its theories. Maybe if I was able to take classes in this system, I would become converted too. But to me, that means that the book has failed--either the system doesn't work, or if it does, this book doesn't do an adequate job of explaining it.

Bottom line, I didn't buy the book for the theories. I wanted more insight into stretching and didn't get it.

I have been in the fitness industry for 20 yrs as a fitness instructor/Personal Trainer/Sports Nutrition. This system was the answer I was looking for, I teach almost evey formats you might know in a Group Fitness Class setting. Sometimes teaching several classes a day. I Needed more out of my stretching routines to keep my pace, I turn to yoga for a flexibility benefit, only to found out it was painfull to get in some of the poses it didn't feel right i was not able to fully enjoy the experiene.SO I went looking for a new answer, that is when I found Bob's book,I was ready to give something new a try after reading and reviewing the book I started to practice some of the stretches that were familiar to me from yoga, I was amazed! I could not belief what happened to my flexibility, it took one try to accomplish years of yoga practice. I now enjoy my yoga practice even more, i can get in the poses the right way, I can actually feel as my muscles are stretching and is not painfull anymore. My fitness level improved 100% Inches came off my thighs just from Stretching, My Nutrition also took a turn, i was no longer craving sugar. Bob's System has freed my body in all ways, I am able to keep with my body demands and I enjoy my job more than ever. I wanted to help my clients and my students to become more flexible I became an intern, After introducing this method to my clients and classes, we are hooked! There is no other way to get flexible now! we will never go back to stretching any other way, if you are ready to change your life, you need " The Genius of flexibility". Thank you Bob, you have not only change my life, but the life of every person I teach.

There is no "genius" to this system except getting an endorsement from an Olympic swimmer.
The author contends that he healed himself through stretching. In the process, he also seems
to have found the answer to Life. Just do his program and you will become enlightened in the
process. As a former gymnast and professional dancer who has experienced many systems of stretching and bodywork, I find the book terribly tedious and difficult to follow.
Mr. Cooley does not name the muscles of the body and shows no diagrams for people to
follow. Almost all his stretches come from yoga. A lot of them need partner assistance. That stretching assists meridian flow is obvious to anyone who has studied yoga and hardly a new concept. The book seems geared to selling his rather expensive sessions and getting people to
sign up for his workshops. When I checked his website I found his associates do not seem to
have formal training or degrees other than what Mr. Cooley himself offers. His training seems
to be limited to his own healing which we are to take on faith. If you really want to learn about flexibility check out Pavel Tsatsouline's work. He's funny, down to earth,no-nonsense and has solid credentials. Other great books: Kit Laughlin's Stretching and Flexibility and Sang Kim'sUltimate Flexibility. These are people with solid backgrounds and their books show clear and concise ways of stretching without any snake oil promises of metaphysical rapture. And you don't have to go organic either.

For a few years now, I have been stretching with friends and my husband, getting more practice at resistance stretching myself and others.

I VERY much like the Meridian Flexibility Stretching system and also think Bob Cooley is a genius... but sometimes having genius in an area does not translate into effective communication of that genius.

I've had several occasions to consult this book and while I like that it provides history and context for the program as well as the different layers that this stretching system affects (muscles, organs, psychology...), it is VERY difficult to navigate based on what is going on with my body (or the body of someone I am helping to stretch). Therefore, this review mostly provides some constructive feedback that I hope Bob will incorporate into the next printing.

1) Nowhere in the book can readers find adequate information for finding specifics related to MUSCLES. The book's organizational structure is based around the meridians and it forces readers who are NOT as well versed as Bob Cooley to flip around and try to figure out what the hell to do if they want to stretch some odd muscle or another. For instance, my husband wanted his calves stretched... they were feeling tight. So, I went to look up "calf" and "calves" then "muscles" and "muscle groups" and could not find the information. It felt frustrating. I double-checked the Table of Contents to see if it was there and it wasn't. So, my suggestion is to add a simple cross reference listing of all the muscles so that folks getting used to the system can go from a KNOWN correspondence to the deeper (and related) correspondences (the related muscle groups along the meridian, related organs, behaviors, psychology...)

2) The book could definitely use more information in the "Benefits" portion of each stretch, add specific muscle groups (primary and secondary) that will benefit in addition to the organ and psychological goodies.

3) For each stretch, I would like illustrations/pictures that SHOW where the person should FEEL the stretch in their body. While the book shows how to get into the stretch and provides a sense of the direction(s) of resistance and describes those well, it still leaves the reader wondering if they are doing it right because the immediate OUTCOME isn't listed.

4) I wish that someone from each personality type would review the book prior to publishing to provide some sense of whether it effectively communicates to THEM. If that is too much of a chore for the author, I would suggest choosing those personality types that are likely to provide the most valuable feedback with regard to what else can be done to make the book more user-friendly. I suggest reviewers include the most difficult to communicate with personality types as well as the types that seem to be the most effective communicators.

NOTE TO THE AUTHOR: Please let me know if I need to clarify any of the above so you understand how my suggestions can improve your book and communication of the system. Bob, I am holding the vision that you and the Meridian Flexibility System become the BEST kind of ubiquitous, spreading better health, much delight, and more positive change throughout the world.

Much love,
Sage (that bossy lung chick)

The Meridian Flexibility System is not only the "Smart way to Stretch and Strengthen your body" it's also the easiest, most efficient way to get the muscle tone and flexibility that would take hours each week with traditional methods. I have been practicing Meridian Stretching for years, and it has honestly changed my life.

Bob Cooley's book, "The Genius of Flexibility" presents an introduction to the Meridian Flexibility System. It briefly covers what Cooley has discovered about traditional stretching vs. resistance stretching, stretching related to traditional Chinese medicine and how stretching can improve your health. The majority of the book is made up of three levels of self-stretches (beginner, intermediate, advanced/strength training) and one level of assisted stretches in the order of the energy cycle. Each stretch includes start and finishing pictures, how to get into the stretch, how to resist, how to breathe and psychological and physiological benefits of each stretch.

In order to benefit from this book, you must spend time to understand how to resist while stretching. This is not a book that you can just scan through and do the stretches. Because the stretch happens during the movement from the start to the finishing pose, some of the stretches are not easily understood by reading the descriptions. Some stretches may need to be varied or demonstrated in person. I like to look at the book as a guide for home stretching, but it does not replace my weekly sessions with a certified trainer in the system.

Besides a large increase in flexibility, I have personally experienced immediate health changes, muscle and tendon repair, reduction in back pain and personality changes. Physically, I've had serious headaches disappear within minutes. I've felt my sinuses open up in the middle of a stretching session. A twisted knee was not only healed, but strong within two weeks. Chronic neck and upper back pain disappeared. After only two months with the system, I'd gotten the body I always wanted - six pack abs and all. Psychologically, certain stretches make me laugh, think of friends and solve problems. Cooley's ideas may seem eccentric upon first reading, but from my personal experience, I can assure you he is right on.

What Cooley has discovered and created through this system is so complex and revolutionary, it would take him a lifetime to write it all down. There are gaps in the book, based on the fact that it is only 310 pages long. While "The Genius of Flexibility" doesn't give all the answers right away, it is the only book dedicated to this method of flexibility and strength training. I would highly recommend it along with taking a workshop or private session to fully understand the system.

There are some wonderful stretches in this book, some I plan to do solo, and some I will use with my massage clients. I think that even if you aren't interested in Bob Cooley's other theories, ideas, or organic food, the stretches are great. Dismissing this book as something only people in San Francisco or Vermont would enjoy is ridiculous, as anyone should be able to glean what they need from this book, and leave the rest, just as they would with any other book or volume of new information. What I am curious about, is that Bob Cooley writes as if he discovered this type of stretching, and that isn't true. He has put it into a system, and now a book and DVD, which is great; but the Russians were doing a similar type of stretching years before Bob Cooley was injured. My wife and I have been doing this type of stretching with massage clients for almost ten years, and we had never heard of Bob Cooley until I got this book. He has certainly developed his own, very successful system, and it has greatly enlarged my own understanding of this type of stretching; but if you are anyone who has been doing bodywork for years, it is nothing new. I did resistance with yoga when I was a teenager in the 60's, as I found I got a much better stretch, and I'm sure many people over time have figured this out; but it took someone with Bob Cooley's passion and vision to give it some real exposure. The organic food information is very good for someone looking to start an organic diet or lifestyle, but I'm not sure what it is doing in a book about stretching. Certainly mentioning good nutrition and organic food as an aid to muscle and overall health is great, but I'm not sure everyone needs menus. I've been doing Chinese and Japanese martial arts most of my life, and I've been an acupuncture patient, as well, so the introduction of TCM into his work is interesting to me, even if I ultimately don't find it makes any difference as far as my training or my moods go. What I found least interesting about this book is the personality type information, although some of it seems to make sense. I've always found the body type, personality type, and psychological type stuff to be a bit too easy of an explanation for the complexity of human beings. I did like this book enough that I just ordered a copy of his DVD from Amazon.

I started training with Bob Cooley over four years ago using the flexibility training system he developed. Prior to this I really thought I knew how to stretch, warm up, and prepare my body for athletic competitions like the running, cycling, and triathlons I have competed in for years. I thought I was flexible and strong, but for some reason I kept experiencing the pain and discomfort from injuries, and disappointment from performing at less than what I expected. I tried many different things but it didn't matter, I still got injured and frustrated since more time and training didn't help at all, it actually hurt me more.
Once I started working with Bob's system I gained results that I would have never expected before. Not only did my speed, strength and endurance improve but so did my confidence in my abilities. My body now works like a finely tuned machine and I'm much more confident that the pain will not return, nor will the repetitive little injuries that I had for more than a decade. I'm recommending this book and video for anyone who works out, competes athletically, and is looking for more from their routine. Flexibility training will work for both your body and mind, it has for me.

I loved Bob's book, so much so that I went on to become a Level II Intern. If you're looking for a gripping novel, pick something else; BUT, if you have the courage to explore a new way to take control of your health, this book is a must read. I thought Bob's personal story of survival, as well as the thought processes behind the creation of a new way for your body to heal itself, was compelling. No gym memberships, no special equipment, only what you see in the mirror everyday is required for healing and this book shows you step by step how to do it all. The Genius of Flexibility is packed with information while the pictures and instructions work together incredibly well. Highly recommend!!