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-Thru-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,

I am amazed at, and grateful for, the help Gloria Hester has provided to me both physically, through somatics and yoga, and as a coach at this time when I am considering retirement, and so looking for direction for the rest of my life. The somatic exercises are easy to learn and provide me relief from a host of aches and pains plus improving my posture. Not to mention the soothing effects on my nervous system. Through her many years of training and her own inspired insight, Gloria has opened my eyes to many future possibilities, as well as influences from my past that no longer serve me. Believe me, she has been of tremendous service to me. I recommend her to anyone looking to feel better and to develop more of their inner resources. She approaches things in a light, fun way.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

What I thought was a torn muscle in my abdomen must have been some sort of knot because it has been completely better with no more issues since we worked together. A thousand thank you’s!!!!

On a very cold winter day in Norway Gloria taught me the importance of my horse, Ari, working with his muscles without the distraction of food as a reward (as it would have interfered with his own sensory feedback mechanisms).  

To see Gloria working together with my horse has given me awareness, not only about myself together with the horse, but also about how my horse shows his body sensations.

Even in our very cold Norwegian winter, Gloria showed me a warmth and care for the horse and his micromovements that I have never experienced before. A memory for life.

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.

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!

I tried a couple of things that you taught me with an old mule we rescued…his muscles started to twitch and I could see he felt better. Later that day, I found him doing the exercises alone!! You have an amazing gift, Gloria Hester. I just wish we lived closer so I could learn more and help more horses here!

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.

Gloria has a connection to horses that is energetic communication at its best. Every time she has held a workshop at our site, not only are the horses pleased, but the people involved leave with a deeper understanding of not only themselves, but their animals. Gloria is a treasure!

I was privileged to participate in an equine clinic instructed by Gloria Hester.  Watching Gloria ease the pain and stress of our horses by touch was an emotional experience.  I would recommend Gloria’s services to anyone who loves their horse.  It was as rewarding for me as it was for my sweet horse.

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,

I am a huge fan of Gloria’s work, not only because of her extraordinary rapport with people, but also horses.

Gloria is a highly intuitive health care professional who takes great personal interest in her clients, she is exceptionally talented and was of a wonderful positive influence through her instruction and treatment of human and equine alike!

Gloria is an effective and intuitive practitioner. She has a dynamic and soothing personality that works well individually as well as with groups. The fact that horses instinctively sense her nature is the best testimonial I can think of!

I thoroughly enjoyed Gloria and her kind interventions with my horses.  We all sighed in relief as she worked with them.

Gloria’s work with people and horses is magic. She sets the stage for relaxation and healing to begin. Her warmth and energy are contagious!

Gloria is an outstanding pioneer in this emerging field of healing for horses and humans- not only because she is such a delightful human being and bright, bright spirit, but because she really KNOWS horse and human psychology and physiology.

Her gentle, effective teaching, generous wisdom-sharing, and deep desire to improve the lives and relationships of humans and their horses is a great gift to all who invest in themselves by spending time in her presence!

His body reacted in interesting ways that I cannot explain.  She made drastic changes in this horse’s body.  Her somatic work is incredible.  To work with Gloria can be life changing.  I hope you have the opportunity soon.

Thanks to Gloria, my dog can walk again! I am truly amazed at this technique! It really works and Jazmine is living proof of it.

Update on Jazmine: I am the biggest advocate for Gloria’s work. My dog Jazmine is doing amazing and walks and runs like nothing ever happened to her. I will keep on passing Gloria’s information to my friends with animals in need. WE NEED HER HELP HERE.

Gloria’s work is really work that will change the world because we heal and know ourselves through our interconnectedness

Gloria was first a wonderful and therapeutic Yoga teacher for me. She is very perceptive and helped each student in the areas he or she needed most. I am sure she continues in this area, but she has branched into other areas such as Hanna Somatics as well.

She has worked with my family members and even family pets in ways that gave immediate relief of pain and set those individuals on a healthier path. Her knowledge is considerable and her caring and perception are amazing. 

The three attributes shown above are not nearly enough to describe Gloria and her work.

“Boe is doing great! After just one session, he is getting up off the ground and onto the couch even easier. His walks and runs are stronger and more stable. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me!”

Update on Boe: “Boe was running full speed today when playing with Daisy in what appeared to be comfort and elation! He also walked off the rug of his own accord without anxiety!”