Client Testimonials

I have been studying Yoga Philosophy with Valerie Faneco since 2016, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Yoga Sutra of Patanjali and currently Samhkya Karika. Valerie is an outstanding teacher, her knowledge of the texts reflects her own many years of conscientious study, her presentation of topics and content is simple, clear and thorough, and her courses are extremely well prepared and planned. I was fortunate to be able to host her for a workshop in 2019 in Applecross, where the feedback from the participants was universally positive, several stating that she had clarified concepts that had previously seemed obscure . I have also experienced her teaching of group Yoga classes, {Asana , Pranayama and Meditation. } In this area too she is a skilled, experienced and creative teacher. I cannot recommend her highly enough, she will be an asset as a senior member of Yoga Australia.

You’ve been an integral part of my life for more than 10 years, and I’m grateful for all that I have learnt with you and because of you, and I would like to thank you for everything. I have grown because of your mentorship, and our friendship.

I was trained by Valerie between January 2013 and June 2015 and it was a life changing journey. During this extensive 550 hours (+++!) Teacher Training program, conducted according to Krishnamacharya tradition, I’ve learned the basics of what I needed to teach in an appropriate manner to my students. For each of the asanas we studied (50 in total) or breathing techniques (pranayama) we studied, we spent a fair amount of time digging what could be harmful for some conditions, when we could do it or not, what would be the expected effects of such practices, and also how we should prepare the body before doing this asana and how to compensate. We learned the basics of building a sequence of asanas that will have the right dosage of strength and relaxation, with the proper warm up and cool down sequences. We’ve also learned adaptations that should be proposed in some cases or in response certain pain or conditions.

Besides and probably the most life changing element of all this was the study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the most respected Yoga text / philosophy. That really has turned my perspective on many things. Coming from the corporate world, I started this training more with a personal development and self-enrichment objective. I ended up teaching full time and gave up my corporate life and I bet the Yoga Sutra studies played a big part in this!

I’ve liked the curriculum and the fact it was spread out. It has allowed me to digest the dense information from one week end to another (approx 5-6 weeks later). The home studies in between 2 modules was also a great way to make sure the information was well absorbed and understood. Indeed I enjoyed it so much that I am continuing the journey with further yoga studies while teaching nowadays. I’ve very much liked Valerie and the way she passed on her immense knowledge always in a very humble way and to the level I was ready to take at each step. Thanks Valerie !

I have done the TT training with Valerie, first as a way to learn more about yoga and how to do myself good. In reality it’s been an amazing and life changing journey. The pace of the training, the wealth of information and knowledge that were shared and offered, the personal reflection that was required were at the heart of this training. It has put yoga at the heart of my life. it started with posture and physical well-being and it moved into a deepest sense of self, connection to oneself and to the others. I can only highly recommend the journey!

Passed from teacher to student through direct lineage from Krishnamacharya, the EKA 500hrs is highly recommended for those seeking authentic classical yoga according to the teachings of Sri Krishnamacharya. Valerie has a wealth of knowledge to share with students, covering pranayama, chanting, meditation, postures and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. The material learnt can be applied and taught in different ways to all stages of life and simply just being in yoga will become a very positive ongoing lifestyle change.

I took this teacher training course with the intention of helping others through the work of yoga. But it was actually the start of an inward journey towards a better understanding of myself, and I realized that I am the one who received the greatest help. I am happy that this course requires 2 years to complete because it takes time to integrate the teachings into daily life and it is through consistent practice that inner transformations are able to take place. It also requires discipline and commitment to stay on the path of yoga. I am grateful to my teacher, Valerie, for her patience, timely encouragements and strong faith in yoga, which gave me motivation to continue on this path.

As this is a comprehensive course that includes the in-depth study of the various tools of yoga, I feel well equipped as I begin my outer journey of helping others though this work of yoga.

I had never expected to become a teacher. I was just fascinated with yoga and wanted to know more about it. The course covers all the aspects of Yoga. Chanting and Yogasutra are my favourites. Valerie has been a very precise, practical, clear, profound and caring teacher. She has every detail you would ever need to know and if she does not, she has the best sources to find out. The material she gives is complete, very clear and neat. Overall, I would say it is a great experience not just for people who want to become Yoga Teacher, but for anyone who wants to go deeper in life. It has been a fascinating journey of blossoming and growth. I am very grateful.

Valerie Faneco is not only an outstanding teacher of yoga but an inspirational person. I have been seeing her for eight years now. Prior to working with Valerie, and over many years, I intermittently enrolled in group yoga classes but nothing stuck with me. Then I discovered Valerie and yoga therapy. I don’t exaggerate when I say that I want to learn from Valerie for the rest of my life.

I learned early on from Valerie that, as with much else in life, so with yoga, one size doesn’t fit all. Valerie brings a solid knowledge of yoga—its philosophy, history and purpose—combined with wisdom, compassion, and patience, to bear on each of her students’ specific needs. And she is clear that individual needs change over time so she tailors the practice to fit physical and emotional needs as these change. I often marvel at her reading of health and mental concerns and her prescription of movements and breathing techniques to address these concerns. Valerie is meticulous in her attention to detail, detail that could make the difference between, for example, discomfort in one knee or leg and comfortable movement.

Valerie is a teacher and a lifelong learner. She is humble in her approach to yoga. While she already has impressive credentials, having studied with the family of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar in India, and with Frans Moors in Belgium, she often attends courses to deepen her knowledge and engagement with yoga.

Given her own endless journey of learning, Valerie is the perfect teacher. She adapts her solid training in yoga practice and philosophy to the nuanced needs of individual students.

Valerie has been a great find for me—she continues to make a difference in my physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychic life. And I love the nuggets of age-old wisdom that she shares with me during our sessions.

Learning yoga with Miss Valerie has been amazing. Miss Valerie is always so patient and understanding when I can’t do a posture properly and she is so encouraging. I can’t believe how far I’ve come from where I started. I feel like every lesson I learn something new about yoga.

Rhea Shankar 14 years, Singapore, 2018, private student since 2009

Learning yoga with Miss Valerie is great. I started doing yoga when I was five years old. Miss Valerie is a brilliant yoga teacher. She is so patient and doesn’t force us to do anything we don’t want to do. She is also very encouraging. When I was scared of doing a head stand, she talked me through it because of which I was able to do it. Doing yoga is the best and one of my favourite things to do.

Anika Shankar, 11 years, Singapore, 2018, private student since 2009

I had completed 2 extremely physically rigorous yoga teacher trainings and been teaching for 5 years already by the time I met Valerie in 2014. Beseeched by my chiropractor, I came to Valerie as a yoga therapy client for advice on my postures. I was injured and in a lot of pain but convinced it was because I wasn’t trying the “right” way. To my initial chagrin, Valerie gave me a very slow and gentle practice, which took me on a journey, scary and uncomfortable at first, of discovery of vast dimensions inside myself. Over time, the pain got better, and many of my self-critical attitudes changed. Under Valerie’s guidance I have found joy and wonder once again in practice, and in myself. This helps me in life. I continue to study with Valerie, even from abroad, in her yoga sutra courses and her yoga teacher training course.

“Thank you Valerie for your class. And thank you for the inspiration it is giving me to work on my own meditation practice. Very best”

I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful session on Saturday. You are a fabulous teacher – clear, measured in delivery and content, and so totally yourself.
I’m in awe of your intellect and discipline and sheer ability to fit so much thorough study into your life. Saṁkhya is always around the edges of how we study in this lineage but I’ve never before had the opportunity to study it. Thank you. It looks as though we might be entering the same sort of rabbit hole that presents itself with the study of the sutra-s. I love it. As you said, the more you study this stuff the more you find. And then of course there is the sorting and remembering with one’s own mind pictures.
Many thanks

Hi Valerie, I just watched session 2 and loved it! Thank you, it all made sense to me. It really does help having such a strong knowledge of Yoga Sutras and I am finding it valuable being able to draw the parallels. I am enjoying having to think deeper about these concepts than what I have done before. It is testing my mind – but in a good way.

Thank you Valerie for another lovely class. What a treat!! One question: I believe you mentioned there were 4 types of adhi-bhautika, but then I don’t recall hearing what they were. Did I misunderstand (that there were 4 types) ?? Thanks for that clarification. I look forward to next month.

I have studied the complete yoga sutras [4 chapters] under the guidance of Valerie for the last one and half years as part of a small study group. Throughout the course, Valerie has imparted all her teachings and all her knowledge in such a style that these esoteric texts are taught and questioned until they are understood. Valerie reviews each previous lesson, relates difficult concepts with modern and personal analogies and always has space for any questions. Valerie’s effective handouts, Skype sessions and recorded classes for those who are unable to attend ensure all members are on the same page every time we meet.

I have also hosted Valerie at True Yoga for a 2 day workshop on pranayama, delving into its theory and practice. Valerie defined pranayama from the ancient texts, yet taught us pranayama techniques that were ideal for a daily practice. I plan to continue studying under Valerie with a repeat of the yoga sutra course and of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.