Our Philosophy
The Dance of Shiva and Shakti is a form of hatha yoga. The phrase ‘hatha yoga’ is a combination of three words: ‘ha’ meaning the sun, ‘tha’ meaning the moon, and yoga meaning yoke or union. Thus, the practice of hatha yoga refers to the union of the sun and moon. The sun is the symbol of Shiva who represents conscious awareness and resides in Sahasrara Chakra in the crown of the head. The moon is the symbol of Shakti who represents divine or Kundalini energy and resides in Muladhara Chakra. Kundalini is depicted as a snake coiled three times at the base of the spine. Hatha Yoga can mean the joining together of Shiva, conscious energy, and Shakti, divine energy.
Our intention is to encourage Shakti, the moon, to rise up to the embrace of Shiva, the sun. The metaphor of a lovers’ dance invokes the idea of a creative interplay between conscious awareness and divine energy. It reminds us to take a joyous, graceful, playful approach to achieving the state of union that is the ultimate goal of yoga.
Peter Clifford, Shiva
Peter Clifford (Premananda) is a master yogi and the senior teacher of Shiva & Shakti Yoga. He is the founder and director of Anahata Yoga (E-RYT 500) and a master teacher of the Five Element Form (Tattwa Shuddhi Sadhana).
With over sixty years of dedicated study and practice, Peter represents one of the longest living traditions of Anahata Yoga in the world.
Throughout his journey he has had the honour of studying with many respected teachers in India, including Swami Shankara, Swami Sarasvati, T.K.V. Desikachar, A.G. Mohan, B.K.S. Iyengar, and Rishi Nityabhodananda. These influences, combined with decades of practice, shaped Peter’s deep understanding of yoga as both a spiritual path and a living practice.
Integrating the principles of Anahata Yoga with a lifelong interest in biomechanics, postural integration, anatomy and physiology, Peter developed the comprehensive Anahata Yoga philosophy. Within the asana practice this philosophy expresses itself as the dynamic and meditative movement known as the Dance of Shiva and Shakti.
Peter’s teaching reflects the depth of his training in Assam, India, and the wisdom of living as a householder yogi. He brings to his students a rare combination of experience, humility and warmth. Known for his grace, humour, compassion and non-judgement, Peter offers practical tools that allow the philosophy of yoga to be integrated into everyday life.
His classes are both grounding and inspiring, guiding students toward greater awareness, vitality and inner transformation.
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Faye Maramara, Shakti
Faye Maramara (Parvati) has been devoted to the practice of yoga for over twenty years. Her journey began while studying acting, where movement classes first introduced her to the deeper connection between body, breath and awareness. What began as curiosity soon grew into a lifelong love of yoga and the path of self-discovery it offers.
Drawn to explore the deeper dimensions of the practice, Faye eventually made her home in Byron Bay, where she met her teacher Peter Clifford. Under his guidance she began studying within the Anahata Yoga tradition, an encounter that profoundly shaped her path. Inspired by Peter’s decades of wisdom and teaching, Faye became his dedicated apprentice and together they established Shiva & Shakti Yoga, a sanctuary for traditional yogic practice.
Faye is an Anahata Yogini, a practitioner devoted to the union of the heart. She finds deep joy and connection through the devotional practice of mantra and sacred sound, often accompanying chanting with her harmonium. Through this love of sound she regularly hosts Kirtan gatherings at the yoga shala, collaborating with fellow musicians and Nada Yogis to create spaces of collective devotion and inner stillness.
As a practitioner of Nada Yoga (the yoga of sound), Faye also incorporates sound healing into her offerings, weaving vibration, mantra and resonance into her classes and events as a pathway for healing and transformation.
Her journey of learning continues as she deepens her practice under the guidance of her teachers Peter Clifford and Rishi Diwali Saraswati, honouring the living traditions that have shaped her path.