At Awaken, our yoga studio is home to a team of qualified and experienced instructors. Each instructor brings unique talents and knowledge in various styles, including vinyasa yoga and pranayama, ensuring a well-rounded experience for all levels.
Katherine (Kat) Masse is the owner of Awaken…she’s an artist, forager, minister, certified shaman, and certified yoga instructor who’s been teaching since 2013, and practicing yoga since the age of 14 (that’s 28 years!) Kat’s style of vinyasa embodies flowing sequences, soft spoken guidance, and a nurturing, non judgmental environment. Her gift of bringing her clients to profound levels of peace and healing is one of her many talents. Come feel the bliss!
Molly has been teaching various types of yoga since 2015. Her favorite thing about teaching is that it allows her body to move freely and keep herself healthy. She enjoys hiking and spending time outside with her horses and/or dog.
Jean is wonderfully inspiring, compassionate and helpful. She’s down to earth and lights up the yoga studio with her kind and nurturing nature.
I discovered yoga in her late thirties. She experienced great benefits in her mind and body from nurturing a practice. After practicing for twelve years she felt inspired to get her certification as a teacher so she could be of service to others and share the gifts she received from showing up on the mat. She taught in many yoga studios in the Farmington Valley area of CT for several years. Teaching yoga has been one of the great joys of her life.
500 Hour Certification-Kripalu Yoga
200 Hour Certification- Ashaya Yoga Todd Norian
Numerous single Workshops
Dr. Gerard C Buffo, MD AP, FACR completed his undergraduate education at Columbia University and his medical training at SUNY Stonybrook. He currently works part time with the Associated Radiologists of the Finger Lakes as a remote reader and resident faculty. He served as a faculty member and researcher at the University of Hartford in their Health Science Department, the University of Connecticut and most recently at the University of Rochester as Associate Clinical Faculty. Former CEO and President of CT Valley Radiology PC, and Chapter President of the American College of Radiology he remains an advisor and emeritus member to both. He has served on numerous medical boards and is an invited lecturer to both local and national symposia. His interests are in elder care, autism and alternative medicine. He completed training and national certification in Ayurvedic Medicine studying at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque NM, and Kripalu in Lenox MA. He has served as the Dean of the Ayurvedic Medical School at Kripalu and taught courses in Ayurveda for undergraduates at the University of Hartford, UCONN and URMC. He completed his yoga training under Todd Norian, Ashaya/Kripalu style which emphasizes Engagement, Alignment and Balance.
He is the proud father of 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren and is married to Jean Ann for 42 years. He resides in Georgia, VT
He believes that pathway to health is accessing the power of healing within, live according to natural laws, mindfully embrace present awareness and love.
Samantha’s first exposure to yoga was through Rodney Yee VHS tapes with her sisters in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until 20 years later when she set out to complete 365 days of yoga that Samantha embraced the calling to teach. She completed her 200-hour certification in May 2023 through Burlington Yoga. Samantha immediately began offering yoga to area high school athletic teams and gym classes, a way of introducing the next generation to the practice. Recognizing in this “post-covid social media era” adolescents need mindfulness and purposeful movement now more than ever.
Samantha has served in the Vermont Army National Guard for more than 10 years, giving her a unique perspective on integrating yoga and awareness into military training.
When she’s not on the mat, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, cooking up a storm and diving into anything Tolkien. She is currently working on her 500-hour certification.
Samantha’s teaching style aims to make all feel welcome regardless of experience level!