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Wellness Interviews with Inspiring Women 

For the first installment of our ongoing series of interviews with inspiring women who share our philosophy of healthy and natural living, we chatted with Claire Fountain, founder of TrillYoga and self-love and wellness sage. Claire gives us an insider look into her own lifestyle aspirations, which resonated across social media, forming a band of guerilla yogis of all creeds to join her TrillYoga movement and garnered her over 200k Instagram followers. Here are some of Claire’s wellness tips and insights on living authentically.

Kat:  How did TrillYoga evolve into what it is today? What was the initial catalyst for starting this unique movement?

Claire: TrillYoga started as a hash tag; I needed a way to differentiate the way I was practicing yoga in the social space that had a more urban, raw, and guerrilla approach. TrillYoga is about being authentic to one’s self. Yoga has many stigmas and stereotypes that I couldn’t get into, so I started practicing how I wanted to: free of rules, in a way that was genuine to myself, as yoga should be. TrillYoga aims to show that any body and every body can, and probably should, do yoga. Or at least give this whole wellness thing a shot.  

K: What do you hope people will take away from the type of practice you promote?

C: I hope it shows that it’s OK. Really, whatever your body type, color, size, shape, style…you can come to yoga and seek a more authentic version of yourself. It’s OK to not be the same, and to show up to practice. I notice many people, who could probably use yoga the most, don’t even realize it’s available for them to do. Perhaps the most important underlying message is one of self-acceptance, the inspiration to try things that can help you be a better you, and seeing that yoga and wellness is for everyone. 

K: What are some of your favorite wellness tips for modern women on the go who still want to take the time to feel centered and cared for?

C: Drink more water. If nothing else, do that—everything in your body will thank you for it. Eat more greens if you can, and learn to breathe properly. Being stressed is glorified these days, and it’s going to kill us all from the inside out (and make our skin look sad along the way). Learn to take care of yourself before everything else; setting intentions can really help. Wellness is a collection of choices that add up overtime, so setting an intention like “I want to feel good” can help. 

K: How can we incorporate yoga into our daily routines, especially as newbies?

C: Well, if you can breathe, you can do yoga. So the first step would be to take deep, healing breaths. Yoga is mostly moving meditation. Bringing your mind back to the present is a great day-to-day yoga practice. 

Some easy moves to do without getting up from bed are gentle twists (morning and night) and coordinating some breathing with arms overhead; forward folding can also help during the day. 

K: How does yoga fit into the bigger picture for you in terms of wellness, beauty, and self-care?

C: The benefits of yoga are far too vast to cover here, but it’s ultimately a practice that is about the mind. From the mind, all the things we know about how to take care ourselves flow. When we make peace with our minds, and our thoughts, we make better decisions about the care and keeping of ourselves. Of course, yoga also increases circulation, oxygen flow, quality of sleep, mental clarity, and physical wellbeing. A body that is loved, and is kind to itself, is probably the ultimate sign of wellness, beauty, and self-care. 

K: What are some of your go-to beauty routines or relaxation rituals to unwind and decompress?

C: Washing my face and putting on oils. It’s ritualistic and soothing. I really like to massage them in and breathe deeply. I also have a diffuser I’m really into using these days—it helps me transcend from the hectic city environment I’m living in. 

K: Has yoga changed the way you think or move about in the world?

C: I’ve been doing yoga since I was 15, and I’m 31 now, so I would like to say, yes, absolutely, but I really don’t know any other way. Certainly over the years, the practice has helped me remain present amidst world chaos, and have a space to find solace despite what else was going on, internally and externally. There is a calmness and compassion that comes from yoga, and from seeking truth, which can help anyone navigate the world in a more proactive, loving, and inclusive way. I also believe as better versions of ourselves, we can be better for our families, communities, and the world at large. 

K: Can you talk a little bit about the connection between yoga/exercise and skin? Have you noticed increased radiance, etc. in your own personal practice?

C: Yoga is known for reducing stress, which can wreak havoc on the skin. It also has noted health benefits in terms of increased circulation and being naturally detoxifying—two processes that can drastically help skin quality and appearance. And lastly, yoga promotes wellbeing, and happy people look younger, brighter, and more refreshed. 

Yoga can also make us more mindful and mindfulness will make you more likely to honor your need for adequate sleep, make sound lifestyle choices, and select products that will cleanse and support your skin in the best way possible.

We are so excited to have Claire as a part of our #MUNiverse. Be sure to visit her blog and follow her on Instagram to keep up with her adventures and sign up for our newsletter below to brighten your inbox with our wellness content!