About Wildfire Yoga and Fitness

Donna Smyth, Ed.D., RYT, LVCYT is the founder and director of Wildfire Yoga & Fitness, LLC. She has been teaching, coaching, and helping others lead a healthy active lifestyle for over 30 years. Donna was a student-athlete (BS, Ed.D.) at the University of Massachusetts and earned a master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Studies from Smith College. As a 2011 graduate of the “Hits to Spot Yoga” teacher training program (Brattleboro, VT), she has taught both traditional Hatha Yoga, Chair Yoga (Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga Teacher Certification, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health) and Yoga for Runners. Donna has also completed the Aqua Body Strong Water Fitness Board Certification program and offers Aquaboard Yoga.

From 1988 to 2021 Donna was faculty member in the Human Performance and Movement Sciences Dept. at Keene State College. She not only taught Yoga, but also worked with students to achieve their goals as physical education professionals.  Prior to her work at Keene State, Donna taught and coached at Smith College. She also has experience teaching in the Outdoor and Recreational Sports Program at Hampshire College.

As an endurance athlete, Donna’s passion is promoting lifelong physical activity, particularly in the outdoors. Her experience and love of trail running, and cross-country skiing has provided opportunities for her to work with folks of all ages and abilities to enjoy the exhilaration of mastering a new skill, and to experience success in competition.

 “I believe that embracing a healthy, active lifestyle contributes greatly to one’s physical and mental well-being.  As a physical educator, Yoga teacher, and coach, I am able to help the people with whom I work to achieve their goals.”  

What People are Saying…

 Donna takes it to the next level!  No matter what she aims to do.  As a masters athlete and masterful coach, Donna brings her deep expertise, personal commitment and professional know-how to help people play and perform well.  If you are game to discover the life-enhancing benefits of physical activity and explore new dimensions of your fitness and sport, you'll find no better teacher than Donna to help you take it to your next level.                

~ Hank Lange, Head Coach, Personal Best

I am new to skate skiing and am so grateful I started learning with Donna. She is supportive, patient, and encouraging, never giving me more than I could take in during a session. She was able to revisit areas that I found challenging and adjust the pace of the lesson based on where I was that day. She has many effective drills that build on each technique and she demonstrated and discussed the steps needed to practice. Donna is dedicated to skiing and her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. I am sure she will be motivating for skiers of any skill level.

~ F.B., Northampton, MA

New to cross country skiing, I found the ProspectHERs clinic so valuable in teaching me how to be more comfortable and confident on my skis.  Donna is a professional, thoughtful and articulate instructor who brings fun and flexibility into every class!  It was also a great way to make new XC ski friends - who hope to continue to ski together!

~ Janice Greenberg, Longmeadow, MA

Donna was instrumental in my quest to run an Ultra marathon.  Her coaching methods are tailored to your personal needs and abilities. She invites you do push yourself past the limits that you have set.  Her knowledge of fitness and body movement, along with her endless support and energy made training with her exciting!  Thank you Donna for helping me meet my goal!!!!

~ Lois Sparks, Vernon, VT

It’s been wonderful to train with Donna.  She listens to my needs and tailors my workout accordingly, clearly mapping out the exercises.  Donna is encouraging, supportive and fun to work with.  I am much more fit as a result of working with her.  In addition, Donna’s enthusiasm for exercise is contagious

~JN, Wardsboro, VT

Donna Smyth is a knowledgeable and skilled Yoga teacher. She introduced me to chair Yoga six months ago and practices with me weekly via Zoom.  I am 85 years old and had always been a Yoga skeptic. I didn’t understand how it would help me. I still don’t understand why it does help this old wreck of a body, but it does.  I am very grateful for Donna's gentle teaching style and I look forward to learning new Yoga poses from her in the future. 

~ ML, Blandford, MA

I had the pleasure of working with Donna to learn how to cross-country ski. Donna was very thorough and taught in a way that made it easy to learn and have fun. She is an exceptional instructor. I am a huge fan and would work with her again to refresh the skills that I have learned.

~ NJ, Brattleboro, VT

"There were two things I wanted in a personal trainer: someone who would inspire me to work out and someone who would work with me at my pace, at my level of understanding and ability, to help me progress in a way that was both manageable and satisfying. I found that person in Donna. She is an elite athlete who loves being active and challenging herself—so the inspiration was there! But, unlike some gifted athletes who cannot relate to mere mortals who grudgingly work out because it’s part of being healthy, Donna had enormous compassion and patience. She was able to quickly assess my level of fitness and help me devise a resistance-training program that would challenge me gently, so I had the confidence I could do it without feeling either bored or overwhelmed. I worked with Donna for about two years all told, and during that time I made important changes to the way I worked out that benefitted my health and stayed with me over time. I still value everything she taught me and incorporate it into my fitness plans today."

-SW, Brattleboro, VT