Graduate Spotlight! Meet Valerie

When did you do your Vikasa Yoga teacher Training?

I did my training in January 2025.  

What drew you to Vikasa in the first place? And how did the experience of being here shape you personally or professionally?

I first discovered Vikasa through BookYogaRetreats, and what truly drew me in wasn’t just the beautiful setting or the thoughtful structure — it was the atmosphere it created: spacious, intentional, and easeful. It felt like a place where I could just arrive and be — held by the rhythm of the practice and the kindness of the people. At first, I came just for a Vikation — I hadn’t planned on doing a training yet. I happened to arrive on the evening of Loy Krathong, the beautiful Thai festival where everyone gathers on the beach to release flower-filled offerings into the ocean, letting go of the old and welcoming the new. I remember standing there, surrounded by the soft lights on the water, feeling so calm and at peace. Even though I came alone, everyone around me was so warm and open to connect — it felt like stepping straight into a family. That same evening, I met some of the students from the YTT 300 group who welcomed me in so naturally. I got to know a few of the teachers too, and Niki kindly invited me to join one of their classes. That gesture meant so much to me — it didn’t matter that I was new or just visiting; I felt completely seen and supported, exactly as I was, and it inspired me to sign up for the YTT 200 not long after. From the beginning, Seal helped me settle in and navigate everything with such warmth, and throughout the training, I was guided by a lovely team who each brought something unique — Niki and Michael showing how movement can help us soften, shed, and create space within; Mikey deepening my relationship to the body with curiosity and clarity; Alex sharing philosophy in a way that felt grounded and alive; and Victoria, Sasha, and the whole Vikasa team in their different roles — each one added their own care to the experience in ways both seen and unseen. Witnessing what Kosta has created — this living, breathing space for growth and connection — made me feel deeply grateful to be part of it, and also incredibly inspired to share this experience, these learnings, with others.  

Personally, Vikasa shaped me in ways I still carry with me today. I’ve always been very sensitive to my surroundings — for me, the setting, the energy, and the small details really shape how I feel and how deeply I can drop in. Vikasa does this so beautifully: the peaceful atmosphere, the care woven into each class, the gentle rituals like palo santo, the respectful silence — all of it creates a sense of sanctuary, where it feels safe to soften, listen inward, and truly rest into yourself. This allowed me to reconnect with something deeper I’d been seeking for a long time. I’ve dealt with anxiety since I was young, and over the years, yoga philosophy and meditation have always been threads that called me back to myself. Being at Vikasa reminded me how powerful it is to have dedicated time and space to nourish that inner connection — to slow down enough to hear your own truth, and to feel part of something bigger than yourself.

Professionally, that experience gave me the spark to finally bring to life something I’d been holding in my heart for a long time. Curated Lifestyles had been an idea I’d carried for a while, but being at Vikasa — seeing others on this path, at different stages, and witnessing how they made this their way of life — gave me the courage to take the leap and make it real. It showed me firsthand what it looks like to guide with integrity, warmth, and genuine presence — and how much the energy we carry and the spaces we craft can shape someone’s healing and growth. Whether I’m guiding a somatic coaching session, teaching a mindful yoga practice, or creating a retreat through my work, I always come back to what Vikasa reminded me: true transformation isn’t just about technique or information — it blossoms in spaces where people feel genuinely seen, safe, and cared for. That’s the kind of space I aspire to offer every day, for myself and for the people I’m honoured to support.

What are you up to now?

Earlier this year, I launched my own space: Curated Lifestyles. Through it, I offer Somatic Life Coaching, Conscious Business Coaching, and Embodied Yoga & Retreats — all curated to support people in slowing down, reconnecting with themselves, as well as living and leading with more intention and care. My work bridges the ancient and the modern — helping people take these deep teachings off the mat and into the everyday: into how they breathe, how they navigate uncertainty, how they create and relate, and how they care for themselves and others. It’s a blend of conscious living, deep rest, thoughtful self-inquiry, and meaningful connection.

These days, I spend my time guiding clients one-on-one — offering coaching and healing through somatic work and mindful movement, sharing yoga in ways that feel gentle and supportive, and providing conscious business coaching that draws on my background in strategic planning but in a more holistic, human-centered way. I love helping people not only reconnect with themselves but also build and lead projects, businesses, or creative paths that feel deeply aligned with who they are.  I’m also preparing to host my first retreat this fall in Europe — a gathering that will weave together yoga, somatic practices, modern lifestyle design, and ancient wisdom, giving people space to pause, reset, and remember what truly matters in a beautiful, nourishing setting. If you feel called, you can join the waitlist here.

Curated Lifestyles has been a vision close to my heart for years, and it feels so special to see it taking shape in a way that stays true to its roots. Whether I’m holding space for quiet somatic practice, guiding someone through a life transition, or supporting a client to build a more intentional business, my hope is always the same: that they leave feeling more at home in themselves and more supported by the world around them.