Finding Flow in Key West: Meet Alexandra Smyth

Bad Girls Yoga instructors bring something singular to the mat, and Alexandra Ruth Smyth of Key West, FL is no exception. A dedicated yoga and pilates instructor, Alexandra brings a grounded, emotionally-aware approach to every personalized class she leads. We sat down with her to learn about her journey, her teaching philosophy, and what makes the Bad Girls Yoga community so special.

How Alexandra Found Her Way to Bad Girls Yoga

How did you come across the opportunity to teach with Bad Girls Yoga?

Alexandra's path to Bad Girls Yoga came through a personal connection. Gillian, founder of Bad Girls Yoga, reached out to her directly after having discovered Alexandra through mutual contact Ena (a fellow instructor based in Marathon, FL). It's a fitting origin story for a community built on authentic relationships and word-of-mouth trust.

What makes you proud to be a Bad Girls Yoga instructor?

"It's a space where women can show up fully as themselves: strong, soft, emotional, powerful, all of it," Alexandra says. "I'm proud to be part of a community that encourages authenticity, confidence, and connection, not perfection."

Yoga, Pilates, and the Power of Coming Home to Your Body

What does yoga mean to you, and how has it impacted your life?

For Alexandra, yoga is something deeply personal. She describes it as "a pathway back to myself." It’s movement, awareness, regulation, and connection. Through her practice, she's learned to slow down with breathwork, listen to her body, and face what she once avoided. Yoga has helped her navigate anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and major life transitions with greater presence and resilience.

Is there a common misconception about yoga or pilates you'd like to clear up?

"That you need to be flexible or 'good' at yoga to start," she says without hesitation. "Yoga isn't about how a pose looks; it's about how it feels. ‘Yoga for every body’ means it meets you exactly where you are." The same holds true for her pilates sessions, where students of all levels and abilities are welcomed and supported whether it’s your first yoga class or your thousandth.

What's your favorite yoga pose, and what do you love about it?

Alexandra's answer is Pigeon Pose: a deep hip opener that she says holds a lot of stored emotion. She loves it because it invites both physical release and emotional surrender. "It's uncomfortable at first, but if you stay with it, it softens, and that's such a powerful metaphor for life."

What to Expect in Alexandra's Classes

Describe your class style.

Alexandra's yoga and pilates classes are intentional and supportive, weaving together strength, breathwork, mindfulness, and emotional awareness. She guides students through poses that help them connect with their bodies, helping them feel safe and present. "There's a balance of challenge and softness," she explains, "with a strong focus on nervous system regulation." It's exactly the kind of restorative experience that Bad Girls Yoga's signature Namaste then Rosé class was built around: movement that centers you, followed by community that celebrates you.

What inspires you to continue teaching?

“Watching people reconnect with themselves,” plain and simple. “Seeing someone arrive stressed and disconnected, then leave grounded and at home in their body,” Alexandra says, “that never gets old.” She's driven by the transformation that happens when people finally give themselves permission to feel, breathe, and just be.

Ready to Step onto the Mat? Here's What You Need to Know

What would you say to someone anxious about trying yoga or pilates for the first time?

"You don't need to know anything or be anything—just show up as you are. No one is judging you. Everyone is focused on their own experience. Yoga is a space where you're allowed to move at your own pace and take breaks whenever you need."

Any top tips for preparing for a first yoga class?

Keep it simple: hydrate, wear something comfortable you can move in, and don't overthink it. Come with an open mind and listen to your body. That, according to Alexandra, is the most important part.

Whether you're brand new to movement or returning after time away, Alexandra Ruth Smyth is ready to meet you where you are. Fill out our form today to get more information and start planning your session. Your mat is waiting!