Today we’d like to introduce you to Berit Ahlgren.
Berit, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Dance was my whole world growing up, it’s where I found my body and my voice, and I built an entire career around it. But for almost 20 years, I was also teaching Pilates and yoga all over the Twin Cities, driving from studio to studio, exhausted, underpaid, and honestly a little burnt out. At some point I just thought, what if I built something of my own instead?
That’s how Sunna came to be. It’s a boutique wellness studio in Northeast Minneapolis, but I never wanted it to be just a “studio.” We offer Pilates, Yoga, GYROKINESIS, and Barre, but we also host talk series, makers’ markets, artist salons, supporting total wellness, not just as it comes to the body, but the mind, too. I left “studio” out of the name on purpose because I wanted Sunna to hold more than classes – I wanted it to hold a community, too!
Sunna is the goddess of the sun in Norse mythology. In finding a name that felt personal to me (as being a Scandinavian woman), and felt it could capture something universal to all the modalities we offer – they all come back to the core, and one’s center. And the sun gives us life! It goes through cycles but always comes back. It illuminates what’s around it. It doesn’t belong to just one person, it’s shared, and it radiates out. That’s the energy I wanted to build here, something that comes back to you, something that lights you up rather than burns you out.
I’ve worked in fitness spaces that glorify muscle, weight loss, sweat, and competition, all that masculine energy our culture is already saturated with. I didn’t want to add to that. Sunna is feminine on purpose: live plants, flowers at the front desk, a fragrant candle always burning, natural lighting. I care about how the space smells, how it’s lit, how it feels just to walk in. We call our classes “wellness,” not “fitness,” because wellness is what we foster: coming home -mind, body, and spirit – not just how many calories you burned in an hour.
Our instructors teach within their own passions, not a prescribed brand, so you’ll find a real range of styles and personalities at Sunna. What ties it all together is the warmth and intentionality, no cookie-cutter teacher, no cookie-cutter student. I think people feel that, even if they can’t quite name it.
My own relationship with movement used to be full of “shoulds.” I forced myself to exercise on days I was exhausted, and pushed myself without listening to my body. I wanted to create a studio where folks could make wise choices for their daily movement – some days it makes sense to sweat and get the heart rate up – other days, if we’re honest with ourselves, the best practice could be a calming, restorative yoga class to close out the day. That’s really what I hope people find when they walk through our doors – a place to tend to their body and mind, showing up exactly as they are that day, no pressure to perform.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building something from nothing teaches you fast that vision and reality rarely move at the same pace. The hardest part for me has been releasing control, learning to listen to what the community actually needs rather than forcing my own expectations onto the schedule. Running a boutique wellness studio also means wearing every hat – instructor, marketer, accountant, sales lead, visionary, human resources, therapist some days. Learning where to ask for help has been its own kind of growth. What’s surprised me most, in the best way, is how much my team has shown up for that vision. I tend to second-guess myself, so the trust and generosity I’ve received from people I deeply respect has been humbling, and it’s slowly taught me to lead with more confidence and less doubt!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Of course! I put together a short guide “Why Sunna” that answers these questions well:
Small by design: Our classes are intentionally limited—8 reformers, 20 mat spots—so you’re not just in the room, you’re known. More attention, more precision, more meaningful progress.
We teach a method, not just a workout: Each class builds on a thoughtful, cohesive approach. You’ll learn how to move—not just follow along—so your practice evolves over time.
Deeply trained, highly experienced instructors: Our teachers hold respected certifications and bring years (often decades) of experience. This is their craft, not a side offering.
Embodied teaching: We don’t teach from theory alone. Our instructors are dedicated practitioners who live in their bodies and continue to study, refine, and grow.
Where art meets movement: Many of our instructors are working artists—dancers, musicians, photographers. There’s an attention to rhythm, expression, and nuance you can feel in every class.
Led by whole humans: Our teachers are mothers, creatives, and professionals with full, multidimensional lives. Teaching at Sunna is an extension of a deeper personal practice.
Specialized, thoughtful care: From injury and rehabilitation to pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond—you’re supported by instructors who understand complexity and meet you with skill and respect.
For people who want more: This is not about chasing a workout. It’s about building a practice—one that supports your body, your awareness, and your life.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Love anything that can give me a good laugh, but stays relatable! Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Amy Pohler’s “Good Hang” Podcast! But for support of the business, I go for The Business of Boutique Fitness – it’s kind of corporate and stiff some times, but ultimately it helps me stay focused on keeping Sunna a running business for years to come!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spacesunna.com/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/space_sunna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558805222048
