How You Can Help Horses and Riders with Hanna Somatic Education
Alissa Mayer and Ryan Moschell 4-26-2025
From the Tokyo Olympics to dressage stables in Australia, Germany and Maryland, and from the vineyards of California to the remote backcountry of Uruguay, Hanna Somatics and Equine Hanna Somatics are making a global impact. With EHS Educators now practicing in over 12 countries and our instructional video, EHS Session 1, utilized in 33 U.S. states and 23 countries, these techniques are enhancing the welfare and performance of horses, along with the experience of those who ride, train, and care for them.
In this presentation, we will explore four key segments of the horse industry that can benefit from Hanna Somatics and Equine Hanna Somatics. We’ll share insightful case studies that highlight our work in the field. Additionally, Alissa will provide a live EHS demonstration with a horse, while Ryan will lead you through targeted HSE movements designed specifically for equestrians, athletes, and anyone who spends time in seats—whether in saddles or chairs.
Join us to discover how these innovative practices can help you deepen your own connection with horses and enhance your performance. Also discover how Human and Equine Somatic educators can learn to collaborate with each other to empower both horses and humans for a healthier, more harmonious horse industry.
Alissa Mayer, BSc (Equine), EHSE-C, is a Certified Equine Hanna Somatics® Educator, the founder of the Association for Equine Hanna Somatics Education (AEHSE), and after 8 years as co-instructor she is now the Director of the Equine Hanna Somatics Professional Training and Certification Program created by Eleanor Criswell. Alissa is an author, mother, posture specialist, international clinician, serial horse rescuer and teacher with a passion for using neuroscience to help horses (and the people who love them) live their best lives.
She is the author of How to Invite an Interspecies Dialogue - The Five Agreements of A Somatic Approach to Horsemanship (her first book) and in 2018 published an article in Dressage Today Magazine titled An Introduction to Equine Hanna Somatics, which has since been expanded into a short ebook (get it here). With a bachelors degree in Equine Science and over 25 years working in the horse industry, first as an eventing-groom, trainer, riding instructor, hoof trimmer, traveling clinician and since 2010 working somatically with thousands of horses, dogs and humans (and one cat) all over the US, Hawaii, Canada and western Europe, she found herself teaching the same foundational concepts to everyone. Whether it's Olympic teams or backyard horses, horse-husbands or seasoned equine bodyworkers, Alissa's approach is to first resolve postural dysfunction, chronic tension and pain by restoring neutral resting muscle tone with Hanna Somatics, then to develop the brain-body connections and skills to leverage the power of our personal electro-magnetic fields to connect and communicate on a subtle, nervous system level with horses... regardless of discipline or training style.
Alissa teaches and mentors students online, hosts clients in-person at her farm in Oregon for Somatic Immersion experiences or Equine Hanna Somatics and she accepts interns and working students on a limited basis. When she isn't working or playing with horses, Alissa enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, foraging for wild mushrooms, and going on adventures!
alissa@equinehannasomatics.org
Ryan Moschell LMT, CHSE, graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage (BSOM) and has been a full-time massage therapist and sole proprietor since 2000. Following his graduation, he became a Teaching Assistant at BSOM. In 2003, Ryan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. He earned certification from the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training in 2013 and has practiced Hanna Somatic Education full-time since then.
In 2015, Ryan was elected to the Association of Hanna Somatic Education (AHSE) Board of Directors. After serving four consecutive terms, he is currently the Vice President, focusing on expanding the AHSE's online presence, member benefits, and public education initiatives. In January 2016, he published an article in Dressage Today titled "Hanna Somatic Education for Dressage Riders" which provides equestrians with self-care and injury prevention strategies.
In 2023, Ryan was hired by Eleanor Criswell-Hanna onto the core teaching team at the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training, after volunteering over 400 hours annually since March 2020. During that time, he helped develop the online education model that emerged during the COVID pandemic. Ryan currently runs a successful private practice in Annapolis, Maryland, teaches large groups, and co-leads trainings with Alissa Mayer and Gabriel Posner to promote Hanna Somatic Education globally. He enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, creating, supporting Somatic Educators, and spending time with his wife and dog.
bodylistener@gmail.com