Winter warm-ups: let’s get physical!

By SANDY LONG

UPPER DELAWARE REGION — Get up. Get out. Try something new. These are the simple practices with which one can beat back the dulling effects of too much indoor time, typical of winter’s shortened daylight hours and colder temperatures. Those who are ready to change it up will find many opportunities to do so in the coming months. For starters, check out these regional offerings.

HIGHLAND YOGA AND DANCE ( freewebs.com/highlandyogaanddance ) 111 Highland Lake Road, Highland, NY 845/557-0115. Get your winter groove on with theater artist and fitness instructor Kari Margolis during the new Dynamic Exercise classes combining aerobics with deep breathing, light weights, stretching and strength exercises on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Yoga, ballet, fitness classes and gymnastics are also offered at the peaceful center, operated by Shain Fishman.

MORGAN OUTDOORS ( morgan-outdoors.com ) 46 Main Street, Livingston Manor, NY 845/439-5507. “When In Doubt, Go Out!” is Morgan’s motto. “We love renting snowshoes all winter long, and have tons of beautiful places to go play on them within 10 miles and a “rent to buy” option that is very friendly,” says Lisa Lyons. Hatha Yoga, Mat Pilates, stretch and tone classes and Ch’I Kung are also offered. A snowshoe outing along the O & W Rail Trail is slated in Mountaindale, NY on January 23, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Additional outings are being planned. Call for more information or rentals.

NORTHEAST WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE ( newildernessexperience.com ) 30 Village Road, Beach Lake, PA 570/729-1700. Action and adventure is the name of the game for this provider of educational and entertaining outdoor recreation experiences, which offers snowshoeing, hiking, climbing, biking, kayaking, tubing and rappelling at appropriate times of the year. NEWE offers customized outdoor adventures led by safety-certified experts and nature enthusiasts, as well as established events open to the public. Coming up, catch the “Brew Shoe” hike followed by beer tasting; “Snowshoe to a Better You;” and more events listed on the website. Reservations required.

POCONO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER ( peec.org ) RR 2, Box 1010, Dingmans Ferry, PA 570/828-2319. PEEC is a highly respected residential environmental education center whose proximity to 200,000 acres of public lands, including the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, numerous state parks, forests and game lands offers abundant outdoor opportunities. In addition to camping and hiking, many environmental programs are offered throughout the year. Upcoming programs include Winter Animal Tracking on January 23, Eagle Watch I on January 30 and Winter Wonderland Walk on January 31. February will feature cross country skiing, nature getaways and more. Or take advantage of six public hiking trails on the PEEC campus. See a complete calendar of events on PEEC’s website.

SKI BIG BEAR AT MASTHOPE MOUNTAIN ( ski-bigbear.com ) Karl Hope Boulevard, Lackawaxen, PA 570/685-1400. Ski Big Bear offers downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing in a family-friendly environment. January is Learn to Ski month, and the Mountain’s Snow Sports School is the place to do so on gentle learner slopes. Try out your new skills at the Winter Carnival on January 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for ski/snowboard races, a big air contest, rail jam, all day scavenger hunt, lunch tray races and free Ski Patrol toboggan rides.

FROST VALLEY YMCA ( frostvalley.org ) 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 845/985-2291. Frost Valley YMCA is a 6,000-acre, four-season residential camping, environmental education and conference center located in the Catskill Mountain Preserve. It offers great cross country skiing for all ages and abilities on groomed or back-country trails. Ski trails are open during the week to people who have their own equipment. A ski rental shop is open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9:30-4:30 p.m. Small group instruction is available on weekends. Call the daily ski report hot line at 845/985-2291, ext. 396 for current information on ski trail conditions.

LACAWAC SANCTUARY ( lacawac.org ) 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel, PA 570/689-9494. Lacawac Sanctuary is a nature preserve and glacial lake where education, preservation and research combine. Five miles of hiking trails and educational programs are available to the public throughout the year. On Saturday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m., the sanctuary will host a Full Moon Campfire and Walk. Stop hibernating and gather around a warm campfire to enjoy the sunset and moonrise over the field. A guided one-mile walk to Lake Lacawac to enjoy the stillness and beauty of a wintry evening lit by a full moon will be rounded out with roasted marshmallows and hot cocoa. Registration is required. On March 27, attend a Woodcock Watch Walk.

WAYNE MEMORIAL IN-SCHOOL WALKING PROGRAM 570/253-8990. More than 500 people have joined the former Winter Walking Program sponsored by Wayne Memorial Hospital in conjunction with eight area schools. Walkers take to the halls of the schools from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The program provides a safe place for people to walk and to socialize. Due to the program’s success, it is now offered from September through May, and winter is a great time to get started. Registration is required. Contact Donna Decker, community health manager, for more information.