Hidden Gems: Meet Agnete Sandahl-Hybertsen of Valkyrie Yoga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Agnete Sandahl-Hybertsen.

Hi Agnete, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been in the wellness world for over a decade, exploring many different ways we can care for ourselves and improve the quality of our lives. I became a certified yoga teacher and when I was seeking more depth, I went on to become a somatic therapist and kambo practitioner. I really enjoyed trainings that supported me in my own growth and expansion so that I could better show up for myself and my clients. I also spent my childhood in Norway. It was pretty isolated and we moved a lot so I was always the new kid. Every time I felt a sense of community we would leave. This led me to feel naturally inspired to create supportive community because I know how important it is to thrive, especially now. The seed for Valkyrie was planted when my mom passed away unexpectedly. Losing her broke me open. She left me with a small amount of money — and I knew right away that I wanted to do something meaningful with it.
Instead of letting that money slowly fade away, I wanted it to grow into something living — something that would continue to touch people’s lives, just like she did. My mom was a poet and a dreamer, a deeply sensitive soul. I’m a painter, and like her, I’ve always felt the world can be a little too harsh for people like us. So I decided to create a sanctuary — a place for sensitives and creatives, a space that reminds us that it’s okay to slow down, breathe, and simply be.
That’s how Valkyrie was born.
Every inch of this space carries intention. The bamboo floors, the plants, the absence of mirrors — everything is designed to help people feel safe, grounded, and welcome. When people walk in, I often hear them say, “It just feels good in here.” That’s how I know my mom’s spirit is still at work — creating comfort where there was once pain.
Valkyrie isn’t about fitness or perfection. It’s about connection. It’s about nervous system regulation, about remembering that healing happens when we slow down enough to feel. We offer yoga and breathwork every day, but what makes our breathwork special is that anyone can do it — any age, any body, any story. Even people with physical limitations can join in, breathe together, and feel better. No one has to stay isolated at home — we can heal together.
We also host music, poetry, and art events because creativity is medicine too. These gatherings help us reconnect with what’s real — joy, expression, and community.
Valkyrie is unique in another way: it’s employee-owned. The teachers here are not just staff; they are co-owners and caretakers of this space. We are women-owned, Black-owned, and Mexican-owned. Every person involved brings their heart, their story, and their culture into what we offer.
Above all, we are trauma-informed. We understand that nearly everyone carries something unseen. Our breathwork and yoga are guided with deep respect and awareness — creating a space that invites healing, not harm.
Valkyrie is my mother’s legacy, but it’s also a living, breathing community of people who are learning to soften, reconnect, and thrive together. This place is proof that beauty can grow from loss, and that love never really leaves — it just changes form.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has not been easy. It has not been a smooth ride. In fact, it’s been far more difficult than I ever could have imagined. We’ve been open for just over two years, and in that time, I’ve faced moments that have brought me to my knees — challenges that have tested every part of me.
Valkyrie has been forged through blood, sweat, and tears. There have been days filled with fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion. I’ve had to move through more discomfort than I ever thought I could bear. But even in the hardest moments, something always keeps me going — the people.

When someone tells me that Valkyrie saved their life, or that they don’t know what they would have done without this space, it reminds me why I keep showing up. Those words have the power to lift me from the depths of doubt and fill me with strength again.

The truth is, being a small business owner right now is harder than ever — especially in the wellness world. The financial stress is real. We have to work extra hard just to stay afloat. On top of running the business, I’m teaching, leading trainings, and supporting people emotionally, all while trying to find my own sense of stability in a world that often feels unpredictable.

There are also growing corporate and third-party pressures that make it even more difficult for small, heart-led spaces like ours to survive. It’s a constant hustle, and at times, deeply exhausting. But what keeps us all moving forward is our belief in the work we’re doing — and the lives we are affecting in a positive way.

I’ve seen our students walk through grief, heartbreak, illness, and transformation. Valkyrie has been there for them — a soft place to land when the world feels too heavy. And that, more than anything, is what keeps me going, day after day.

If I could give any advice, it would be this: believe in what you do with all your heart and soul. Because when things get hard — and they will — that belief will be the fire that carries you through.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Valkyrie Yoga?
Valkyrie is a welcoming and authentic space to show up exactly as you are. We offer yoga and breathwork every single day — simple, powerful practices that help you reconnect with your body, your breath, and your truth.
Beyond our daily classes, we host events, trainings, and community meetups that welcome people from all walks of life. We believe that true wellness includes connection, creativity, and belonging. That’s why we support the arts and creatives through our poetry circles, music nights, and art events.
We also hold dedicated circles for men, women, and the BIPOC community — and we’re committed to expanding these offerings as we grow. Valkyrie is a place where everyone is invited to feel seen, supported, and included.
Our teachers are down-to-earth, professional, and teach from the heart. Each one brings their own wisdom and authenticity into the room. With a wide variety of classes and approaches, there’s something on our schedule for everyone — whether you’re brand new to yoga and breathwork or have been practicing for years.
At the core of everything we do is authenticity. I once read that the most powerful and influential energy in the world is authenticity — and that deeply resonates with me. It’s what we strive to embody for our community every day. In a wellness industry that can sometimes feel polished or performative, we choose to stay real. We show up as we are, and we invite you to do the same.
Because healing begins when we stop trying to be anything other than ourselves.
We offer breathwork trainings that are so much more that just a training. We also offer yin, reiki and trauma-informed yoga teacher trainings and will continue to expand in what we offer as the demand grows. Our entire staff contributes to these trainings so that the students get a well-rounded and multidimensional experience that can truly support them as they take what they have learned out into the world.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
This might sound simple — maybe even a little cheesy — but it’s the truth: I want to make the world a better place. For humans, for plants, and for animals.
I believe that real change begins within. The way we treat ourselves becomes a kind of blueprint for how we treat others and the world around us. When we take care of ourselves, it becomes easier to care for others. When we show up for ourselves, we have the strength and compassion to show up for our community, for the earth, and for all living beings.

If we feel better — truly, deeply better — we make more loving, conscious choices as we move through life. Those choices ripple outward, shaping a kinder and more connected world.

Right now, our world is hurting in so many ways. Fear, isolation, and disconnection make it harder than ever to stay grounded and healthy. That’s why we need spaces like Valkyrie — spaces that bring people together, support our nervous systems, and remind us that healing is both personal and collective.

I’ve always carried a deep desire to create positive change while I’m here. Valkyrie is my way of doing that — one breath, one person, one moment at a time.

Pricing:

• $33 New Student Special for a week of unlimited Yoga, Breathwork and Sound Healing Classes
• affordable memberships for all walks of life with perks like free guests and discounted events
• memberships for military, teachers, healers, service industry, wisdom warriors (seniors), couples and family plans!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Valkyrieyoga.com
• Instagram: @valkyrieyogasd

Image Credits
Sofie Sandahl-Hybertsen