Alissa earned her bachelor’s degree in Equine Science & Business Management in 2004 from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island (USA). She has over 25 years of experience in the horse industry, first in therapeutic riding, then as an eventing groom, hoof trimmer, trainer, riding instructor, and since 2012 as a Certified Equine Hanna Somatics® (EHS) Educator and international clinician.
Alissa has worked somatically with thousands of horses and riders all over the US, Hawaii, Canada and western Europe. She is a posture specialist, author, serial horse rescuer, and teacher with a passion for using neuroscience to help horses, dogs – and the people who love them – live their best lives.
In addition to developing a thriving lesson program and private EHS practice in northern California, Alissa worked closely for 12 years with Eleanor Criswell Ed.D, the creator of Equine and Canine Hanna Somatics, Somatic Yoga, co-creator of Clinical Hanna Somatic Education® and co-founder of the Novato Institute for Somatic Research & Training with Thomas Hanna – first as an apprentice, then as business partner, and finally as the only co-instructor for the Equine Hanna Somatics Professional Training & Certification Program at the Novato Institute. Since Dr. Criswell’s passing in 2024, Alissa is dedicated to preserving and protecting Eleanor’s legacy as the new owner and Director of the EHS education programs and trademarks.
Alissa offers the 2-year EHS Professional Training Program online to small cohorts of qualified applicants and supports them with year-round mentoring. She also hosts in-person trainings for hands-on learning and continuing education for certification students and graduates, and she welcomes a limited number of clients and students to her farm in Oregon for intensive series of 1-1 EHS sessions and advanced study in A Somatic Approach to Horses.
Website: www.equinehannasomatics.org
Alissa Mayer Facebook page – for content about horse, rider, neuroscience and A Somatic Approach to Horses
https://www.facebook.com/alissa.g.mayer
Official EHS/CHS Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/equinehannasomatics
https://www.facebook.com/canine.hanna.somatics/