Testimonials
Gloria taught me how to walk. When I apply her lessons I can walk all day with no knee pain. Even at the end of the day my knees do not hurt. This is a first for me. Gloria is truly a gift to humanity. In my life, she is an answer to years of asking the Spirit-Who-Moves-Thu-All-Things to help me overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. And the thing is, her lessons are deeply enjoyable, fun,relaxed, and simple; yet they are profound beyond words.
Sincerely, Gratefully, and Humbly,
JC Smith - Tucson, AZ
Gloria worked with my horse for approximately three hours. During the 'session' I noticed my horse became more and more relaxed and was very receptive to what work was being done to/with him. Gloria's explanations were clear and easy to follow. I left feeling confident that I could continue the work on my own and have done so. Gloria has since been readily available to answer questions that have come up. I look VERY forward to working with her again.
Molly V - Northern CA
I am 58 years old and my occupation requires that I drive for several hours of every work day. Over the years, I have developed stiffness in my back and knees. Gloria Hester is a friend of our family. She was visiting us for a few days, and asked if I would let her show me how Somatic movement and yoga might help my mobility issues. I was very skeptical since I had once been hurt by a chiropractor. She spent a little over an hour working with me. First she evaluated my stance and observed my walk. Then she had me lie down on the floor and she very carefully checked for muscles that were very tight. She worked by asking me to consciously contract and relax specific muscle groups. Then she moved parts of my body in ways they had not moved for some time. There was nothing forceful about this work. It just reminded my body of movement patterns it had forgotten. When the session was over, without thinking I stood up in the middle of the room without any help. This is something I have not been able to do in a very long time. (I used to have to pull myself up by holding on to a heavy piece of furniture.) A few minutes later, I was in the kitchen and dropped something on the floor. I bent over and picked it up. This too was something I had not been able to do in years. Gloria gave me homework – walking in a very specific way and doing some stretches on the floor. I really appreciate her help and know it has improved my quality of life.
R. Hicks - North, GA
The moment I looked at my mare Macy, with her head lowered and eyes soft, I knew she was ready for you to begin helping her to heal. Macy enjoyed her session with you and I can really see the benefits through her movement, her back and in her eyes. Thank you so much!
Linda - Tucson, AZ
The first thing I noticed about Gloria was her warm smile. In some order after I saw her lovely hands and supple relaxed body. I so much appreciated her asking me and the horses if she could work with them. It was obvious she has extensive knowledge on how the horse works anatomically and innately. Her training stresses safety for handler and horse as well as not stressing the horse. The beauty of the somatic work is how sensible it is. One could be on a deserted island and as long as you have hands you can do wonders. I also like how the caregiver for the horse can learn the"simple pickup" and fit that into the busiest schedule and greatly benefit their horse. Gloria also has an intuitive sense about "DLR- doesn't look right". She picked up on my horses metabolic unrest and he has since been diagnosed as foundered with a slight rotation to one of his front feet. Gloria truly loves what she is doing as shown by her long hours with each horse and it's not about the money. I look forward to her return to watch and work with her on my best friend - my horse. He says to put in a good word from him.
Aloha,
Gubby - Kauai, Hawaii
I just wanted to say thanks for the clinic. I’ve been fighting the fall blues/mid life crisis. So I was not the happiest individual this weekend. I should say month. So yesterday I got to ride in the afternoon. The change was immense for me. I had room in my center and room to move my hips up and down. Not to be so stiff. So the riding changed immediately. Ten sleep was much more through. I did some somatics with him before and after I rode because he is so tight in his back and short-loined, a lot of which is his mirror of me and some his confirmation. Any way it was much easier to keep him loose and forward and I was able to sit and be with him at the canter. I could actually move with my core and find my feet in the stirrups without tightening up. So a big success for Ten sleep! I feel like the walking exercises really helped with the rotation and feeling that shortening 
as the horse lifts your hip. Same with Seedkadee, great canter day yesterday. She is much more sensitive and will not push through my blocked seat. Yesterday we actually went together.It was actually fun. So thanks and I hope others experienced the change in their riding also.
R.C. - Jackson Hole, WY
Last fall I was introduced to an incredible bodywork called Equine Hanna Somatics by my good friend and colleague, Gloria Hester. I witnessed my discombobulated “navicular” thoroughbred become more cohesive, comfortable and “in his body” after just one session. His stride lengthened, his topline was rounder and more connected, and he was shining like silver. I thought, This is it! Equine Hanna Somatics is the missing link to rehabbing this horse.
A. Mayer, Equine Specialist - Kauai, HI
My mare, Mistinguette, is usually an impatient and unfriendly mare, but as Gloria worked with her, she very soon became extremely relaxed. Her head lowered down and she relaxed her lower lip. She actually let Gloria exercise her limbs for almost one hour. She enjoyed this session or she would have shown otherwise! As a physical therapist, this is a sign to me that the therapy has a releasing effect on her tight muscles. If I see Mistinguette is in the mood for it, I pick up her feet and reproduce the moves Gloria showed me to help my horse relax.
J Marchant, Physical Therapist - Nosara, Costa Rica
Throughout our time in Europe, I would carry a backpack full of water and raingear for the family (to help slow me down enough for them to keep up). When I came back to the cabin I would spend some time with my legs up the wall and then do the first part of the “cat stretches”. I found that kept my back supple and ready to go. Often when I sleep in strange beds my low back will ache and hurt, but with the somatic exercises, even if I woke up sore, I was able to regain flexibility with less than 5 minutes of doing them. I found myself teaching people how to do somatics on the boat. I would get up in the morning and do yoga on the deck of the ship as we sailed up the Danube across the Main and down the Rhine. It was a great way to greet the mornings. For me, the training you provided has literally changed my ability to maintain low back comfort throughout many challenging situations with very little effort. I greatly appreciate it. And the training was fabulous! Your availability, willingness to share your knowledge and experience, and your expertise at seeing what muscle is firing in any given yoga pose, was amazing.
TK, Registered Yoga Teacher - Kingsport, TN/Asheville, NC
Gloria Hester has had a huge impact on my life as a friend and a yoga teacher. I am grateful for her residential teacher trainings as I learn from her the old way from master to student. Long after our time together things will bubble up in my awareness and become present in my teaching. I am a better teacher and person through knowing her! Thank you Gloria!
DJ, Yoga Teacher and Retreat Founder - Nashville, TN
Through my friendship with Gloria Hester, widely acclaimed Yoga instructor, we offered a great workshop recently. Gloria came to Jackson TN and spent 3 hours with some of our local Yogis. Her ability to connect with students and share information is great. We all got extra help with alignment, flowing in and out of poses and some great info on how to keep our movement and muscles coordinated; especially needed as people age. This workshop was such a success that we have begged her to come back and she has agreed. Details are forthcoming and you'll be getting more information soon. Can't wait for us all to gather again for a great info session with Gloria.
Mark Taylor, RYT Yoga For Life Studio - Jackson TN
Gloria assisted us with different Yoga poses, shared useful information about the need for neuromuscular retraining and taught retraining exercises involving muscles that control the eyes, head, neck and shoulders. She emphasized the need for these muscle groups to work together smoothly for many daily functions like...when backing the car out of the garage or parking spot and looking over your shoulder. Gloria's experience with Yoga poses as well as her calm, serene way of conducting her classes was delightful. I look forward to attending her next workshop.
Donna Smith - Jackson, TN
After just one somatics session:
It turns out that when I measured myself this morning, I had grown about 1.5 inches. My back feels great and I can breathe easier! Thank you so much for the miracle you've blessed me with!!!
B K, Student - Elon University,TN
I would like to give a Readers Digest version of how Hanna Somatics has changed my life. I broke my neck in 1981 and have some nerve damage and atrophy, which has given me some form of pain on a regular basis since, some of which was quite severe. After one session with Gloria I felt like every joint in my body had been freed up. But the real tell was when I woke up the next morning after that, I had no pain. Somatics is truly amazing and I have told everyone that I know how great it is. I'm not easily convinced of most things and living with pain for so long I was very skeptical, but now that I have personally experienced the results of Somatics I would have to put it in the "Miracle" category.
D. A. W., Headsup Ranch
Gloria Hester is one of the most joyful, encouraging, loving, enthusiastic, FUN teachers I know. She is also amazingly versatile. From deep relaxation to vigorous vinyasa, everything she does is inviting and invigorating. She believes deeply in what she practices and teaches, and imparts that knowledge in a way that is accessible to beginners and advanced students alike. Namaste.
Sarah G.- Florence, Alabama
Now this is a woman who is helping to change the world. In a big way. Gloria Hester and others are spreading this remarkable way of living to all of us, as I type now. This stuff is perfect for all of us animals, you included! Yeah, I mean you! Check out Hanna Somatics and Gloria Hester!