Chris Walling, PsyD, MBA, C-IAYT
Vice President of Education and Outreach
Dr. Chris Walling, PsyD, MBA, C-IAYT, SEP is a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher and an active leader in the biobehavioral sciences. His work in academic medicine has included the administration of multidisciplinary leadership teams in hematology-oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and geriatric psychiatry at some of the top academic medical centers in the United States. His clinical focus in the behavioral sciences has examined the intersections of neuro-psychotherapy, affect regulation, and psychophysiology.
Dr. Walling is an Adjunct Professor of Somatic Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Past-President of the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy, and an Associate Deputy-Editor of the International Body Psychotherapy Journal. He is a Clinical Supervisor at the Wright Institute of Los Angeles, a Clinical Associate at the New Center for Psychoanalysis, and is a Clinical Research Fellow at the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium located at Indiana University where he and his colleagues are working to advance scientific insights from trauma psychology. Dr. Walling maintains a private practice in Los Angeles, California.
Amy DiLillo, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
After relocating to Massachusetts, Amy saw a need for senior-specific yoga offerings. She began teaching BLTT-infused classes and workshops at her local recreation center, senior center, and senior living community. Amy spearheaded an ARPF fundraising collaboration with her clinical colleagues to offer a series of Brain Longevity sessions. Amy collaborated with the senior center LSW on Resiliency & Neuroplasticity skill-building talks and has been a featured speaker in grant-funded programming (National Council on Aging: Aging Mastery; Massachusetts Council on Aging: Live Your Best Life).
Mary Lou Green, BA, MA, CDP, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
Mary Lou took care of her father who had Parkinson’s-related dementia and cared for her 100-year-old mother who had unspecified dementia. She has 15 years of experience in caring for her parents in her home as well as becoming the care manager for her mother. Mary Lou has served as the Family Care Consultant and Community Liaison for Dementia Help Center since 2017. She has found her deep passion in supporting, educating, and coaching family members who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and in creating awareness for the vital role that care partners provide within her community. She resides in Palm Desert, CA.
Carol Hahn, MSN, RN, RYT, CPT, CDP
BLTT Faculty
Carol Hahn is a Registered Nurse with over 35 years of varied health experience in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care, and adult day programs. She has taught in several university nursing programs and worked at the Alzheimer’s Association. Carol is a Registered Yoga Teacher and a Certified Personal Trainer with her own business as a Wellness and Fitness Nurse.
Laura Jean Kokoska, RN, CKYI
Curriculum Consultant
Laura Kokoska is a registered nurse and certified Kundalini yoga instructor who teaches integrative practices to health and wellness professionals as well as individuals with complex medical conditions. As a holistic healer, Laura’s focus is to empower the natural healing processes available in every human being. She is the owner of DNA Yoga & Meditation, in Niantic, Connecticut.
Cheryl Kravitz, APR, CFRE, RYT, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
Cheryl is President of CRK Communications and The Gentle Yogi. Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley appointed Cheryl as Vice-Chair of the state’s Family Violence Council and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett appointed her to the Montgomery County Hate Violence Committee where she served as Chair of Community Outreach. Cheryl served on the boards of the Family Justice Center Foundation and the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. She was an elected member of The Board of Education in Tulsa and taught journalism there and in Chicago. Cheryl was Program Chair of Leadership Washington and is a graduate of both Leadership Washington and Leadership Tulsa.
Linda Lang, C-IAYT, Therapeutic Yoga Educator, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
Following an 8-year career at the George Washington University-Center for Integrative Medicine, Linda continues to be dedicated to promoting integrative practices for healthy living. Her commitment to ARPF features programs rich in yogic content: movement, breath work and meditative techniques. Using the language of Hope, she encourages everyone to create lives of meaning, as we all learn to embrace the Unknown and Unknowable, with grace and curiosity.
Lucia Paris, Certified Alzheimer’s Educator, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
Lucia is a certified Alzheimer’s Educator who has been writing and presenting her materials for the last 12 years. She’s also a facilitator for Second Wind Dreams® Virtual Dementia Tour® and has worked in elder and dementia care for 15 years.
Lucia believes the best way to beat Alzheimer’s is through preventative health and spends much of her time researching holistic modalities. She completed her BLTT training in October 2020 and is looking forward to sharing the 4 Pillars of Prevention through blogging, social media, webinars, and speaking. She’s anticipating the completion of her book Cappuccino’s with Otto which takes the reader on a light-hearted journey with her dad who she helped care for as he aged.
Jane Stelboum, RYT 500, E-RYT 200, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
Jane founded Sarasvate (sar-as-vah-te´) in 2012 in honor of her mother Sarah, whom she lost to Alzheimer’s – a company whose mission is to prevent memory-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and help those already impacted maintain a high quality of life as long as possible. She does this through workshops, speaking engagements and Caregiver training sessions. She has been a featured speaker at conferences by the Smithsonian Associates (Yoga as Lifestyle Medicine), Aging Life Care Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center and has conducted workshops and trainings at yoga retreats, yoga studios, senior living communities and corporate offices along the east coast. Jane lives in North Potomac, MD.
Alessia Tanzi, RYT, BLS
Peer to Peer Steering Committee
Alessia has worked as a business consultant for over 15 years with leading consultancy firms and top executives of major international groups. She is also a member of the Ikyta (International Association of Kundalini Yoga Teachers). She is a certified Advanced Neuro-Trainer by the Neuro-Training College, Melbourne, Australia. Alessia founded Yoga Coaching®, a company that supports business people to reach their full potential. She has been teaching at the university for the elderly “Università Primo Levi” in Bologna for 5 years.
Cathy Watkins, Ed.D, RYT 500, RCYT, Wellness Educator, BLS
Scholarship Ambassador and Coordinator
Cathy is an educator who has an interest in blending traditional exercise, movement, and yoga. Cathy is a perpetually curious learner whose teaching style includes humor, spontaneity, and providing a supportive environment for her students, ages 5 to 91. She can be found most days reading, being with family and friends, cooking, and dancing.
Avtar Nordine Zouareg, MA
Curriculum Consultant
Two-time Mr. Universe bodybuilding champion, Avtar Nordine Zouareg is an internationally acclaimed, high-performance coach and wellness expert, bestselling author and speaker. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.
