Karen Mason

Karen Mason, a native of Carmel, CA, has a diverse background in dance, martial arts, and fitness. Growing up, Karen's passion for dance led her to commute to MarinCO, where she received classical training in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dancing at the Marin Civic Ballet School. During her later years, she became a member of the school's company and started teaching ballet and modern jazz to 8-10-year-olds, as well as beginning adult ballet classes. Karen continued teaching ballet privately through All Saint's Day School in Carmel Valley from 1978 to 1985, while also instructing aerobics at the Carmel Valley Racket Club.

In 1987, Karen relocated to Santa Barbara and became involved with SBCC, dancing and performing. Her interest in martial arts blossomed in 1990 when she began studying Kenpo Karate at the WuShu Studio under the guidance of Chris Wiedimann. As Karen progressed through the belts, she also assumed a leadership role in evening group classes and participated in numerous local tournaments from 1991 to 1998. During this time, she also discovered a passion for mountain biking and had the memorable experience of night riding down Mammoth Mountain alongside 400 other cyclists.

It was her encounter with Bob Cooley that significantly impacted her journey when she moved to SB. Bob, a guest teacher at yoga Soup in Santa Barbara, introduced Karen to resistance stretching and strength training as an alternative to traditional yoga. Intrigued by this innovative approach, Karen began studying with Bob in 2012 when he relocated to Santa Barbara from his base center in Boston. In 2014, Bob established the Genius of Flexibility location in Santa Barbara, and Karen joined the teaching team in 2015.

Recently, Karen had the opportunity to collaborate with Meaghan Wheeler, teaching 34 weeks of resistance stretching to various groups, including farmers, film crew members, and students at the farm school for Apricot Lane Farms, which was featured in the documentary "The Biggest Little Farm." Following these classes, both Karen and Meaghan taught 4 weeks of resistance stretching to girls' volleyball athletes, aged 12, who saw remarkable improvements in their skills and confidence throughout the season.

Currently, Karen teaches classes at the SB center alongside Meaghan, with a shared mission to bring the transformative benefits of resistance flexibility to young athletes. Recognizing the injury prevention and performance enhancement potential, they aim to empower these athletes while fostering a deep understanding of their own tissues, systems, organs, and overall well-being. Karen is excited to meet new students and share the knowledge she has gained, helping children become flexible physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Meaghan Wheeler

Meaghan Wheeler is a dedicated professional who has made it her life's mission to work with children and empower them through athletic training, body education and nutritional health. With a career spanning 16 years, she has served as a volleyball coach and trainer, leaving a lasting impact on young athletes in the age range of 8 to 22.

After many years teaching, running a youth volleyball club and training volleyball athletes, in November of 2020 she decided to move to Santa Barbara and fully commit healing and body work through resistance flexibility. Under the guidance and mentorship of Bob Cooley, the esteemed founder of The Genius of Flexibility, Meaghan has honed her expertise in the field of resistance stretching and body awareness.

As part of her role at The Genius of Flexibility, Meaghan primarily focuses on assisting and leading with private clients. Driven by a deep desire to make a difference for the future, Meaghan aspires to expand her reach and positively impact the younger generation. She firmly believes in the power of education and aims to enlighten children about their bodies, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for their personal potential.

Meaghan Wheeler's remarkable journey, extensive experience in coaching and training, and her colleagueship with Bob Cooley have positioned her as a respected and influential figure in the field of youth fitness and flexibility.