Here in Seattle the leaves have started turning, the rain is back, and people have started ordering their coffees hot again. Fall has always been my favorite season–it’s a time of new beginnings, school supplies, learning, hot chocolate, pumpkin soup, and cozy scarves. There’s a line from a song by the Norwegian writer and musician Alf Prøysen that I always think of when fall starts: “Med blanke ark og fargestifter tel.” It literally means “with blank sheets of paper and coloring pens.” Remember that back-to-school feeling?

Tomorrow is the Fall Equinox, which according to Wikipedia falls on September 22 at 15:44 UTC (7:44 am PST) this year. Even if you’re not a student you can use the spirit of the season to start something new–sign up for an art class, try a new yoga studio, find a volunteer project in your community, take cooking lessons, or start a journal. Any excuse you need to buy a new notebook and colorful pens!

If you live in the Seattle area you can check out some interesting yoga workshops coming up:

An introduction to unique meditations
Samadhi Yoga, (6 Mondays) Sept. 22nd thru Oct. 27th, 5:15pm to 6:45pm
“What is Meditation? Meditation has three essentials elements: Relaxation, Watching and a Non-Judgmental Attitude. Through these, slowly, slowly a great silence descends over you. You will learn a variety of ancient and modern methods that help you enter into this state of meditation. ”

Rock Yoga with Nicole Farmer
Yogalife Queen Anne, Saturday, September 27th, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
“Explore your edge through asana, pranayama and meditation accompanied by music that pushes the boundaries of your expectations for a typical yoga class. If all is yoga, then all music is compatible with our practice.”

Yoga for Change
8 Limbs Yoga Capitol Hill, Sunday, September 28th, 9am – 8pm
“All day, by-donation Yoga event to demonstrate the power of our community to effect positive change in the world. Inspired by this year’s presidential election. […] Donations to the event will go to The Washington Bus, an innovative vehicle for hands on democracy.”

Ashtanga Beginner Intensive with Kelly Page
8 Limbs Yoga Capitol Hill, October 17 - 19, 2008 November 7-9, 2008
“In this weekend course students will ground in the present moment through the movements of breath, bandhas and dristi, while systematically moving through the Primary Series of classical Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.”