The Seacoast of New Hampshire is a fun place to be in the winter, partly because of the variety of events that nudge you out into the cold.

If you want to get the blood pumping and extend a little bit of the goodwill of the holiday season, check out the Cocheco Valley Community Skate Days at the Whittemore Center in Durham.

Today and tomorrow, the skates happen from 6-8 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, you can skate from 5-7 p.m. Bringing along pet food for the Cocheco Valley Humane Society gets you a discount to the already reasonable rate. Bring three or more items for $2 off the family rate of $10, or $1 off the adult rate ($5) and the children younger than 12 rate ($3) with a pet food donation each.

The Cocheco Valley Humane Society seeks donations of canned and dry adult cat food; canned and dry adult dog food; hay for small animals (no straw); rabbit hay racks; small litter boxes for rabbits; cat and small animal toys; and non-clumping clay cat litter.

Oof. We turned the clocks back this weekend, so now it is getting dark ridiculously early. I have had to add an extra blanket to my bed. And I’ve already scraped frost off my car windshield in the morning.

But here’s a little something to warm you up: On Saturday, Nov. 7, Bikram Yoga Nashua is hosting an open house, with free classes all day. Additionally, they are adding two extra classes that day only at noon and 2 p.m.

Just think of how warm and loosey goosey you will feel. It will be like stepping back into summer. Or something like it. Whatever. It will be a great workout!

A looooong time ago, in a commonwealth far, far away, I took salsa classes before I moved to New Hampshire. They were held every Saturday morning at the local community college. I don’t remember the cost exactly, but it was six or eight weeks for somewhere around $60.

I loved that class. I started taking it about a year before the summer of Latin music took over. Do you remember that? When JLo was still Jennifer Lopez. Before Marc Anthony needed to know anything and before Santana and Rob Thomas got seven inches from the midday sun.

For years since moving back to New Hampshire, I’ve toyed with the idea of taking dance class again. This week, I took a zumba class at my gym, and it was so much fun it made me realize how much I missed salsa.

Buuuut. A gym  membership and dance class? That starts looking like a pretty pricey endeavor for this singleton on a budget.

There are some things in life that are worth spending money on, however. I put health waaay up at the top of the list. I was slimmer and fitter taking salsa classes. And it made me happy and gave me confidence in ways I can’t even put into words without sounding like an infomercial. So, in my mind, you can’t put a price on that.

However… Queen City Ballroom does offer beginner sampler classes every Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5:15. The 45-minute classes are on a four-week rotation, so you can try out foxtrot and swing one week, waltz and hustle the next, salsa and tango the next and then wrap it all up with the rhumba and cha cha. The classes are only $9 each, and for your first visit, you can print out a free coupon. (I  know it says Thursday, but if you check out the site, they honor it on Friday.)

You don’t need a partner, either, which is a relief. I am not sure my sweetie would be down for salsa. My boyfriend in PA certainly wasn’t.

I think before I go balls to the walls and sign up for the weekly Monday class at 8 p.m., I might as well check out the sampler. Better to see if I can still cha cha without busting something besides a move.

Any other great dancing deals out there? I’m all ears (and left feet, but we’re working on that).

As if I needed another reason to be jealous of beautiful downtown Portsmouth.

Thanks to a tip from the fabulous @hockeycrew, I’m here to tell you that on Tuesdays at noon, Bikram Yoga Portsmouth organizes a free yoga class in beautiful Prescott Park, offered by a variety of Seacoast area studios. The list of participating studios is here.

The class is an hour long, and you should definitely come armed with a towel or mat. (I’d need to bring a yoga brick and strap, too, but I’m about as flexible as an iron rod.)

Newbies are welcome. Just meet at the fountain at Marcy and State streets.

Namaste, baby.

I love the loosey-goosey way I feel after yoga class, but I admit I rely more on DVDs than actual classes. It’s a shame because only in class do you have the benefit of having the instructor correct your position and really help you get the most out of your workout.

That’s why I am pretty psyched about the Currier Museum of Art’s free yoga workshop this weekend with Yogabalance. Free yoga? I’m so there.

If it’s sunny out, the class will take place on the lawn. If it’s rainy (as I suspect it will be), class moves inside. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. and the class goes from 9:30 to 10:30.

Participants should bring a mat (extra thick for outdoor use) and bug spray and sunblock if the weather is nice. Organizers have also asked participants to lay off the hairspray and perfume for this particular session.

Registration is required. Call Yogabalance at 625-4000 with your name and e-mail address, or e-mail mail@yogabalance.info.

Can’t make the Currier class? If you live in the Garrison City, Dover Yoga offers a free yoga class every Wednesday from noon to 12:45.

Know of any other free yoga classes in the state? E-mail me with your tips!

The fabulous Leela Olson is hosting an open house today at Pole Bliss Studio in Manchester, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
For beginners and the curious, this is a chance to experience a free mini-intro class, which starts at 2 p.m.
It’s also a chance to meet the instructors, tour the gorgeous studio (which is in a converted mill) and snack on some excellent sweet treats.
This particular event is geared toward women 18 and older.
This is not some hoochie mama class, by the way. It’s about finding pride and sexiness in your own body. Leela is a warm, wonderful woman who puts everyone at ease instantly. She is encouraging and allows everyone to progress at their own pace. And trust me, it’s a real workout to pick yourself up and swing around those poles.