Rick Mumma

Who: Rick Mumma

Where: After decades of working in book publishing, Rick is now living full-time in West Hurley and attending and teaching as many Shakti Yoga classes as possible. When not at Shakti on Sawkill, he prefers to be outdoors.

Ytt/teaching exp: Rick completed his 200-hour teacher training with Linda Lalita Winnick at Shakti Yoga in 2019.

Offerings: Rick is teaching Level I Fundamentals at 6pm on Monday in Saugerties and at 4pm on Tuesday in Woodstock; he is also teaching Level II Mixed Level Vinyasa at 9:30am in Saugerties. Check the current schedule for updates.

Why: The combination of the private interior practice in a welcoming community space is something that I value immensely – whether I’m in the studio as a student or a teacher. The challenge of the physical practice speaks to me, but I’m also more and more interested in Yoga from historical, philosophical, spiritual, and psychological perspectives. It is a deep tradition that can be studied over many lifetimes from many angles.

Favorite yoga pose: My favorite pose is always changing. Rather than a pose I can do relatively well, my favorite tends to be the latest inversion or arm balance that I am in the process of learning but have not yet mastered.

Fun fact: Having grown up in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, and New Jersey, I have never felt more at home than I do in the Catskills. Since moving here in 2010, I can’t picture myself leaving voluntarily.

Favorite quote: “If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about answers.” –Thomas Pynchon (Gravity’s Rainbow)