I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all Town of Hempstead residents a happy and healthy New Year.

Very often as a New Year arrives we make New Year's resolutions. One of the most common goals, especially after the holidays when we all tend to eat more than usual, is to get in shape. In the Town of Hempstead we are very fortunate to have many parks and recreation programs that will help residents do just that, not only during the winter months but throughout the year.

New to our fitness program are the fundamentals of Pilates. This form of exercise is focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body through controlled movements, engaging your body and mind. Classes are held at Merrick Road Park Golf Clubhouse in Merrick. In person registration is on Monday, Feb. 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Merrick Road Clubhouse.

One of our most popular fitness programs is our Slimnastics program, designed for women 18 years of age and older. This program is held at Merrick Road Park Golf Clubhouse, Echo Park in West Hempstead, Levittown Hall in Hicksville and Baldwin Park in Baldwin Harbor. In person registration for Merrick Road Clubhouse will take place on Monday, Feb. 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Registration for both the Echo Park and the Baldwin Park classes will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Echo Park registration will take place from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and Baldwin Park registration will take place from 7-8 p.m. Registration will take place at Levittown Hall on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 10-11 a.m.

Women may also be interested in our Low-Impact Aerobics classes, designed to firm and tone muscles and increase cardiovascular efficiency. This program is held at Echo Park, Forest City Park (Wantagh) and Levittown Hall. Registration for the Echo Park classes will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Forest City Park registration will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 9:30-10:30 a.m., and registration at Levittown Hall will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 10-11 a.m.

Our elite Shape-Up Time program is a great opportunity for men 18 years of age and older to either improve or maintain their physical condition. This program is held at Echo Park all year round. Registration will take place on Sunday, Feb. 1 from 9-10 a.m.

Considered the first style of yoga, Kundalini Yoga lessons for adults is a unique system which combines breathing, movement, meditation, stretching, relaxation, rhythm and chanting to work on the mind, body and spirit. This program will be held at both Merrick Road Park Golf Clubhouse and Echo Park. Registration at Merrick Road Park will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and registration at Echo Park will be held on Friday, Feb. 6 from 10-11 a.m.

Walk and Talk for Fun and Fitness is another wonderful program to keep in shape. Wear walking apparel of your choice for 12 weekly sessions at Baldwin Park, Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore or Seamans Neck Park in Seaford. Registration will take place the first day of class (Baldwin Park-Wednesday, Feb. 11, 10-11 a.m. at the ball field flagpole; Seamans Neck Park-Friday, Feb. 13, 10-11 a.m. at the tennis courts; and Newbridge Road Park-Friday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. at the administration building).

To obtain further information about registration and program locations, times and costs for any of these fitness programs, please contact the Town of Hempstead Department of Parks and Recreation at 292-9000.

Again, I wish you a happy and healthy New Year and the best of luck in achieving all your goals for the coming year.