Hanna Somatic Education® is the direct, hands-on method developed by Thomas Hanna for teaching voluntary, conscious control of the neuromuscular system to persons suffering involuntary muscular disorders. In Hanna’s words, “It is the most advanced system known for relieving chronic disorders which, otherwise, are untreatable by either medical or traditional therapeutic means.” (Hanna, 1990)

 The foundation of the Hanna system was established in Hanna’s 1970 publication Bodies in Revolt: A Primer in Somatic Thinking, which demonstrated the relation between sensory awareness and physiological efficiency. An additional component of Hanna Somatic Education is the tradition of Feldenkrais sensory-motor training, introduced in the United States in 1975, under the direction of Dr. Hanna. The theoretical background of this tradition is outlined in Hanna’s 1980 publication, The Body of Life.

 The major clinical techniques of Hanna Somatic Education have been developed out of the neurophysiological foundations of self-regulation training and biofeedback. Dr. Elmer Green, the illustrious pioneer of self-regulation training and founder of The Menninger Clinic’s Voluntary Controls Program, says that Hanna’s contribution to this field “is a milestone on the way to this understanding — and to better health. If I could, I would put [Hanna’s book] in the hands of every neurologist, internist, nurse, psychophysiologic therapist, and clinical psychologist in the country. What is explained in the book is not part of their regular medical education. To be complete therapists, though, they need to include, or incorporate, this information in practice.”

 Dr. Dieter Kallinke, pain specialist in Germany’s largest rehabilitation clinic and close student of Hanna’s system says that it “answers questions that the experts are only beginning to ask.”

Used with permission from Phil Shenk and Susan Koenig 2024-2025

Thomas Hanna, Ph.D., was a philosopher and somatic educator, who founded the field of somatics in 1970 with the publication of his book Bodies in Revolt: A Primer in Somatic Thinking.

He received his doctorate from the University of Chicago for his dissertation on existential phenomenology, later published as The Lyrical Existentialists. Hanna taught at Hollins College, where he became Chairman of the Department of Philosophy. He was also writer-in-residence for one year at Duke University and the University of North Carolina in their Cooperative Program in the Humanities.

From 1965 to 1973, Hanna was Chairman of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Florida, where he had been hired to create the department’s first doctoral program in philosophy. Hanna was elected a Fellow in the American Council of Learned Societies, which in 1969-1979 subsidized his writing of Bodies in Revolt: A Primer in Somatic Thinking. In 1971, he was elected the first President of the newly created Faculty Senate of the University of Florida.

Hanna came to San Francisco in 1973 to become Director of a graduate school, the Humanistic Psychology Institute. During this time, he founded and directed the first training program in Functional Integration, taught by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais from 1975 to 1977.

Subsequently, Hanna founded the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training in 1975, and its magazine, Somatics in 1976. In his practice of somatic education at the Institute, he saw clients from all over the world. He was the author of eight books, including Somatics: Reawakening the Mind’s Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health, which has been published in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Hungarian, and Korean

Used with permission from Phil Shenk and Susan Koenig 2024-2025

Eleanor Criswell Hanna, Ed.D., 1990-2024 i

s Professor of Psychology and former chair of the Psychology Department at Sonoma State University, California, where she taught for 33 years. She met Hanna in 1966 while completing her doctorate in educational psychology at the University of Florida (1968) and teaching at Jacksonville University. They married in 1974, co-founded the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training in 1975, and worked closely in the development of the field of somatics (1968-1990). She was trained in somatic education by Hanna in his Australian training in 1981, and is a pioneer in the field of biofeedback. She currently directs the Novato Institute and is editor of Somatics magazine. She is a licensed psychologist and practices psychotherapy and somatic education at the Novato Institute. In addition, she is author of How Yoga Works: An Introduction to Somatic Yoga (also published in German) and Biofeedback and Somatics: Toward Personal Evolution, and has pioneered the application of Hanna Somatics with horses in her development of Equine Hanna Somatics®. 

Used with permission from Phil Shenk and Susan Koenig 2024-2025

Richard Ryan Moschell, CHSE, LMT 2025…

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 Riders," which provides equestrians with self-care and injury prevention strategies.

In 2023, Ryan was hired onto the core teaching team at the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training, after volunteering over 400 hours annually since March 2016. 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, is the new director of education for the HSE training, and co-leads trainings to promote Hanna Somatic Education globally.

Ryan Moschell

Susan Koenig

Phil Shenk

Lyman Spencer

Mary Poxon

Farzaneh Jafari

And Volunteers

The program is conducted in six 9-day Modules. Module 1, 2, and 3 of the program are concerned with somatic functional problems of the trunk and vertebral column. Students learn somatic educational techniques that are consistently effective in eliminating fundamental disorders such as chronic back and neck pain, chronic headaches, sciatica, scoliosis, etc. The program includes lectures on kinesiology and the phenomenon of sensory-motor amnesia. Students also learn assessment techniques based on recognition of the typical postural disorders of the Landau Reflex, Startle Reflex, and Trauma Reflex. Students will undergo a written examination on their knowledge of the field of kinesiology.

Module 4, 5, and 6 continue and deepen students’ abilities to address the somatic core:  the trunk and the vertebral column. Additionally, they focus on somatic functional problems of the shoulder joints and arms and of the hip joints and legs. Students will learn procedures for eliminating such problems as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitus, frozen shoulders, chronic hip and knee pain, pronated or supinated feet, etc., and attend lectures on neurophysiology. Students also write a paper on their knowledge of the field of neurophysiology and Hanna Somatic Education.

These last three Modules are devoted to expanding the clinical skills of the students and to deepening their understanding of neurophysiology. Students enhance their ability to help clients solve functional problems related to the extremities, walking/gait, balance, and other more complicated conditions.

Those who successfully demonstrate competence in Hanna Somatic Education® and who have completed all assignments will be certified as approved clinical practitioners of Hanna Somatic Education and will become certified members of the Association for Hanna Somatic Education®, Inc.

Classes are held online via Zoom. Each Module consists of 9 consecutive days from Saturday through the following Sunday. Class hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT (noon) and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT daily. The six Modules 54 hours per module for a total of 324 hours of supervised in-class education.

Instructors

The program employs team teaching to enrich the student’s learning experience. Team teaching provides greater intellectual stimulation and closer supervision during clinical practice time. Also, between Modules students may contact a teaching team member about: assignments, issues with clients, and staying on track for completing the program by the end of the final Module.

Core instructors include Susan Koenig, Phil Shank, Lyman Spencer, Ryan Moschell and Associates of the Get Out of Shape LLC, all of whom are certified practitioners of Hanna Somatic Education and have been in the field for many years. These Associates maintain private practices in Hanna Somatic Education and offer periodic workshops open to both the lay public and health care professionals. They are members of the Association for Hanna Somatic Education®, Inc. Thomas Hanna’s influence is profoundly felt in every training, not only because he trained the core teachers, but also because his training materials are the foundation for the program.

Tuition

Upon acceptance, a deposit of $650 USD is required toward the $2,200 USD total Tuition for Module 1 with balance due on the first day of class. Tuition for Modules 2-6 is $1,550 USD per Module. Tuition for each Module is due in full before the Module begins. We regret that no scholarships or delayed payment options are available for this training. Students may online through this webpage.

Application

The application deadline is April 1. Late applications are considered individually on a space available basis. Preference will be given to applications postmarked by June 1.

Graduation and Certification

At the end of the six Module training program, students who have successfully passed the two written examinations, the clinical examination, and completed all assignments will graduate and receive formal certification as practitioners of Hanna Somatic Education®. Certification is issued by the Get Out Of Shape LLC, which sponsors the training program.

Students in the Training Program automatically qualify to join the Association for Hanna Somatic Education®, Inc., as “student members”. Upon certification they qualify to become “certified members” and their names will be listed in the Association’s roster of certified practitioners provided for the public. All Association members have full support of the Association, which develops, researches, and sponsors Hanna Somatic Education classes, standards, resources, etc. to support its members in benefiting the public and promoting the public welfare.

This training is held in real time online via Zoom, in Pacific Standard or Pacific Daylight Time.

*Used with permission from Phil Shenk and Susan Koenig 2024-2025

Addresses and Contact Information

Sponsored by Get Out Of Shape LLC.
107 Ridgely Ave., Annapolis, MD, 21401, USA,
Phone (410) 703-6956
Ryan@RyanMoschell.com

About Our Hands-On HSE Training Events

While the majority of our HSE training program is delivered online—allowing us to reach a wider audience and provide greater flexibility—we recognize the unique value of in-person, hands-on learning experiences. To support your development as a skilled practitioner, we offer regular Hands-On HSE Training Events designed to complement and deepen your online education.

These in-person sessions provide an opportunity to practice, refine, and integrate the techniques you’ve learned in a supportive, supervised environment. While participation in these events is not currently required for HSE certification, the hands-on experience offers invaluable professional growth and can significantly enhance your effectiveness and confidence in practice. It also serves as a powerful space for continued learning, calibration, and connection with fellow practitioners.

At this time, we plan to host these events annually, with the intention of expanding the frequency based on interest and demand. Our hope is that these gatherings become an ongoing part of your journey—an opportunity to return, refresh, and evolve your skills year after year.

We look forward to seeing you at these events and supporting your continued growth in the HSE method.