Part of what makes The FCC a great place, is because of our talented and caring instructors
Bob Larsen, NASM, C-PT, CES, PES, EBFA BTS- Men Get Fit
He is a Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement Specialist. He holds these certifications with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He also holds certifications as an EBFA Barefoot Training Specialist, and TRX Group & RIP Training Instructor. Bob is no stranger to fitness, having spent many years participating in competitive sports and staying physically active. Bob recognizes the importance of physical activity and the benefits one can receive from it. Bob also has specialty certifications (NASM) that include exercise program design for seniors and those with physiological challenges. Drawing on several years’ experience in fitness, physical education and rehabilitation, Bob now focuses mainly on Senior Fitness and Corrective Exercise. He is the owner / manager of Phoenix Athletica, LLC, a fitness boutique that offers personal training, holistic health and wellness management, small group training and group fitness classes.
Colleen LaScala, CPT, RYT-Yoga & Cardio Sculpt
As a graduate of Saint Barnabas school of nursing, I’ve been actively involved in the health and fitness profession for over 45 years. I am AFAA certified in both personal training and group fitness. Specialty certificates include Zumba and Barre Above, practical Pilates, indoor cycling, Step and Step choreography and “pre-hab” versus rehab specialty. Trained and certified by Healthways. I’ve taught the Silver Sneakers program, the nation’s leading fitness program designed for older adults. I received my 200-hour yoga training through Yoga Fit and presently pursuing my 300-hour training through My Vinyasa Practice. As a resort guest instructor witih Travel Pro Fitness, I travel extensively throughout the Caribbean teaching classes. I love sharing my passion for fitness with others and understand the importance of having fun while getting healthy. I’ll see you on your mat!
Kim Matthew, RYT- Chair Yoga, Qi Gong, Crystal Bowl Sound bath, Healing Sounds, Watercolor & Pastel Class
Kim received her yoga certification twenty years ago after an immersion at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, In addition to the teaching of Hindu-based yoga, leading crystal bowl sound baths and mala meditation classes, Kimberly is also on an energy quest, and is always interested in sharing the magic of the subtle energy bodies with her students through various forms of moving meditation. Sometimes that is Chinese based leading Tai Chi or Qi Gong classes, other times it’s Japanese based with certifications in Reiki and Shinrin-Yoku, the medicine of being in the forest or Forest bathing. Or, working with universal energy as a certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator, Kimberly feels that her calling is to have students feel their prana, or chi, to have energetic vibration move over them and through them to achieve total wellness and vitality!
Ashley Meinking, IBBFA Cert.-Barre Fit & Cardio Sculpt & Tone
Ashley is a special education teacher by day, but her love for fitness and learning led her to share her love for moving with others. Ashley believes in taking a balanced approach to fitness and thinks you should, too. Barre is where that balance meets stabilization, strength, and endurance.
It is her favorite form of exercise, and she has been instructing Barre Fit at the FCC since 2018. In her spare time, Ashley likes to cook, read, glamp, take care of her flower beds and spend time with her husband and two cats.
Ashley is a Certified Barre Instructor through IBBFA, a Certified Group Fitness Instructor through AFAA, and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Ann Merli, RMT, RYT, AYS, MT-Yoga
Ann Merli is the owner and operator of Cardinal Way Wellness. Her business mission is to support and assist others using various healing modalities to bring about change in body, mind and spirit for her students and clients. Ann is a Reiki Master Teacher, RYT500 Registered Yoga Teacher, Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist and a Licensed Massage Therapist in NJ/FL. Additionally, Ann is a Spiritual Medium and Intuitive and uses her natural abilities to access information from Divine Sources.
As a yoga teacher her passion is making yoga accessible to all. She is an ambassador for the non-profit Accessible Yoga. She is certified as a Chair Yoga teacher and in 2019 created a Chair Yoga Teacher Certification for other Yoga Teachers to learn this valuable yoga modality.
As a Reiki Practitioner and teacher, she has trained over 60 students in this amazing healing modality and continues a mentoring group with the students she has trained. Her passion is to create more mentoring and education for students of Reiki.
Additionally, Ann is a writer and has been writing since she was young. Using writing as a means to express and connect with others. She has previously hosted writing workshops in an effort to help others heal past wounds through the written word. Currently she is collaborating with her best friend on a book, workbook and program to be launched in 2022.
In her leisure time she likes to be outside, the beach and the mountains are her happy place. Born and raised at the Jersey Shore she currently lives in the Poconos with her husband, Justin and other family members on a family compound.
Natalie Kahwaty-Schultz ,PhD- Dance & movement, Seated to the Beat Dance to the Beat
Natalie completed her Masters degree in Dance for Higher Education in 2006 and her PhD in Advance Studies in Human Behavior in 2015 giving her the ability to teach at various colleges throughout PA and NJ as an Adjunct Professor for the past 20 years. Her students and participants have ranged from 6 months to 100 and she has been involved in private dance studios, community programs, Senior home living facilities, and afterschool classes. Besides teaching many forms of dance, Natalie is certified in AFAA Primary Group Certification and has been a fitness instructor for the past 17 years. In 2012, Natalie was trained through the Dance for PD® program developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Starting in September of that same year, Dance and Movement classes were formed at the Friendly Community Center and then in 2015 Dance for PD classes at Rutgers University on Saturdays began.
Natalie has written two classes; Neuroscience in Partnership With Dance and Adaptive Movement Through Dance from her experience in working with many populations that have trouble moving, specifically with those who have PD and Autism. She began teaching these courses at Rutgers University in the Spring 2020. She has worked to redesign classes for people who cannot get on the floor or stand for an hour class because they have various physical limitations. These classes offer alternatives so they can dance and stretch in their chair. With this modified model, Natalie teaches dance so that anyone with any ability can enjoy the benefits of moving inspired by the creativity of dance.
OUR VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTORS
ERNIE CAMLET- MBA degree – Weekly Walkers Hike Guide, member of The FCC’s BOD. By volunteering, Ernie Camlet “gives back” to the entire Pocono community in a wide variety of different ways. Here at The Friendly Community Center, he is always happy to share his talents as a volunteer. For example, Ernie is beginning the third year of his second term on the Board of Directors for The FCC, and he serves on three committees: Membership, Marketing, and Facilities/Finance. As the co-leader for The FCC’s “Weekly Walkers” Ernie plans and guides our Friday morning hikes on numerous trails throughout the Poconos, sharing his appreciation of the beauty of the Great Outdoors with others. He enjoys working out with his friends during The FCC’s classes of “Men Get Fit,” and is also the coordinator for our Legacy Brick fundraiser.
Ernie has earned three degrees: associate, bachelor’s, and master of business administration, all with specialties in both accounting and taxation.
As an active member of the steering committee for The Compassionate Friends of the Poconos, Ernie helps families who have suffered the loss of a child of any age, from any cause.
He is certified each year by the IRS to prepare free tax returns as a volunteer for seniors and others. He is also state-certified as a volunteer Medicare counselor for Pennsylvania’s “MEDI” program, and he helps with the complexities of all Medicare-related matters.
Retired from working for the Social Security Administration, Ernie frequently helps people with questions concerning SSA’s numerous programs.
Ernie’s main hobby is gardening, and he is glad to be able to raise tropical hibiscus plants in this northern climate.
He has been married to the love of his life, Barbara Camlet, for more than 43 years, and they have two children together. Barbara is another devoted volunteer here at The FCC. Ernie lists his priorities as his family and community service.
BARBARA CAMLET– Master’s degree, DEA certified – Line Dancing Instructor.
Barbara is a semi-retired teacher in Computer Science, Library Science, Reading, and Advanced Math. After 23 years of teaching children, Barbara is currently working part-time as the Technology Integration Specialist for the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, doing professional development training for teachers in the school districts. She received her master’s degree from Marywood University in Scranton.
Barbara’s first love is dance! She is certified by Dance Educators of America of NYC in the performing arts.Over the years, Barbara has performed with many ballet companies, has owned her own dance studio, and has choreographed for numerous shows. She was an entertainer at most of the Pocono resorts. Although Barbara is proficient in many types of dance, ballet is her favorite. Barbara is also a Reiki Master/Teacher and enjoys mediation, healing energy practices, and spiritual growth. Barbara enjoys cooking and baking and is happy to share that hobby with family and friends, as she did with our “FCC Foodies” group, preparing and enjoying recipes that we all made together.
She is thrilled to have the opportunity through The FCC to offer line dancing and to share her love of dance with others who also love to dance and move.
CAROL HILESTAD- In Stitches group leader
RON McCALL- Weekly Walkers Co-Hike Guide
JENNIFER MALAMOS- Women’s Circle Group Leader
Business & Mindset Coach Career, Relationships, Wellbeing, Meditation & Mindfulness instructor, Emergency Medicine Physician
MARILYN SCHULTZ- FCC Loss Support Group Leader
BARBARA VAN NORTWICK- Dementia Caregiver Support