Dear Yogis,

Last evening on nightfall I was out walking (as one does),   it was warmer then than it was this morning actually, but what was “thrilling” was to see Venus hanging in the sky, the only visible planet and no stars, not one – it was other worldly, and I loved it.  It could have been a factor of light pollution. The estate I walked through (ShirleyPark) has Los Angeles style houses with glaring outside lights, garden lights, porch lights.  Any light that could have been switched on,  on was on, and the corner house had a light on the porch that could have been used on a basketball court.  It was huge and glaring.  We have invented motion sensors, but obviously no-one on the estate is interested.

HOW LIGHT POLLUTION IMPACTS THE INSECT WORLD:  The impacts vary between insect orders. Excess light makes it difficult for some species, like fireflies, that rely on bioluminescent cues to find mates. Some insects use polarized light to find bodies of water where they breed and reflections from outdoor fixtures confuse their sense of direction. For instance, in the USA they have found that mayflies, which only live and breed for a day, can be confused by light bouncing off asphalt and lay their eggs in the street instead of a lake or stream. A mistake like that can wipe out an entire population over night.

Insects are also attracted to the headlights of moving cars, with an estimate 100 billion meeting their end on the highway in Germany each summer, according to the study. Artificial light also interferes with the way some insects hunt at night.

Then there are the moths and other flying insects drawn to outdoor lights. It’s estimated about one third of the bugs swirling around those lights die by morning, either by being gobbled up by predators or simply from exhaustion.

The message here is to turn off your outside lights if they are not in use, or install sensors.  On lesser used roads we could install sensors as they do in Scandinavia and save money as well as energy.  I loved the fact in Sweden that lesser used street lights have sensors (they come on the you use the road)  and householders put LED lights in their windows, rather than light up the entire road.  I do it, and the other day at the BP Service Station they guy behind the counter had travelled up my street very early and noticed the light and said it made him feel safer.

YOGA CLASSES AND STUDIO TIMES…..

Windarring Yoga –  Tues. x 2 +Thurs. x 1. (some Fridays)

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm (full) 2.15 (full) Wed. Restorative 1pm.  

ZOOM WORKSHOP.  Mondays at 6.30 on zoom. “A Year of Living Biblically” and “The Source”.  The class is going off to do their own thing on Mondays until next term – Croatia, Bali, Van excitement and more.  If you want to join the group next term – plan for it.

THE YOGA LUNCHEON:  This coming Saturday at 12noon (yes a time shift). I have booked for us to go to  The Full Moon in Woodend.  Warm, “homey” and great food. I love the Nachos – with chicken – with prawns – vegan, or Mexican.  Any of them are great.

TAROT READINGS AT THE STUDIO – Look forward to hearing from you.  You can even come on the weekends, and I can do “doubles” – you and mum, you and a friend.  .

 

SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO

NAMASTE – JAHNE