Om Yoga Magazine — January 2018

I

magine a yoga practice performed

in a space of absolute darkness in

which the pineal gland is activated

and DMT (the molecule of the spirit) is

produced. Imagine having the ability to

increase the power of your asanas by means

of certain mudras that had remained hidden

for a long time. Imagine too a live music

practice where music is synchronised with

the intensity and changes of the asanas, and

a practice where the mind learns to function

without duality, without limits or boundaries;

a practice where the ego ends up dissolving.

Well, such a practice corresponds to

the practice of Andhakara Yoga (derived

from the Sanskrit word ‘Andhakara’ which

means ‘darkness’). Andhakara Yoga or ‘Yoga

of Darkness’ was born in Mexico in 2013

and developed by Ulises Guerra. Here, he

outlines the structure of this new style, which

is based on five fundamental pillars.

Andhakara

The main pillar of the practice is absolute

darkness. Since ancient times many mystical

and spiritual traditions have employed

darkness as a powerful tool to transcend the

illusory world of forms (Maya) and to awaken

the pineal gland. Among them were the

Essenes who meditated in total darkness;

for them, the darkness was synonymous

with god. The first Mayans and Egyptians

also meditated in the darkness of the

pyramids, while in the Bon tradition of Tibet

and in Japan they meditate in dark caves to

purify the mind. Then there are the Kogi of

Colombia, and other cultures of Africa that

perform shamanic initiation in the dark; for

the Lakota and Hopi, the power of the spirits

only arises in the dark.

Arupasanas

Unlike many other styles of yoga where

sometimes an almost obsessive importance

is given to the form, alignment and

aesthetics of the asanas, what is sought

in Andhakara Yoga is to uproot the mind

of the forms of the world — and that also

implies uprooting the shape of the asanas.

The Sanskrit word ‘Arupa’ means ‘without

form’. The practice of Arupasanas does not

mean that asanas have no physical form,

but rather consists in detaching the mind

from the form of asanas. Just as a great

swordsman detaches himself from his sword,

a true yogi becomes detached from the

forms of the world, including the forms of his

or her practice.

The nine seals

There are some mudras whose teachings

in ancient times were kept secret because

of the great power they encase. Even in

modern times little is known about them,

and despite having originated in India the

practice of these mudras was transmitted

to Japan, and the Japanese version (kuji-in)

is now more known than the Hindu version.

These mudras aim to increase awakened

consciousness (Bhairava) as well as increase

the physical, energetic, mental and sensory

potential of the human being. These nine

seals are incorporated into the practice of

Andhakara Yoga to increase the power of

asanas and mental focus.

Vibration

Vibration is very effective in making the

energy, the mind, and the heart resonate to

certain types of frequencies. In Andhakara

Yoga vibration is used to raise the vibratory

frequency towards states of greater

consciousness. There are a total of 11 Series

of Practice and in each, a characteristic

vibrational frequency is used. Therefore, the

music and the musical instruments used in

each Series are different.

Synchronicity

All elements of the practice: absolute

darkness, the nine seals, Arupasanas,

vibration and Dhyana intertwine with each

other in a precise way. Each element is

integrated into the set at the precise

moment and with the precise intensity, in

order for a yoga symphony to be formed in

the darkness, which allows the body, energy,

heart, mind and spirit to harmonise and

integrate..^

Ulises Guerra has been teaching yoga and

meditation for 16 years and has been running

Andhakara workshops around the world. He

is the author of the book: Andhakara Yoga,

El poder de la Oscuridad. Find out more at:

andhakarayoga.wordpress.com

FM