I think self-help is very important nowadays. “Do it yourself” is my adagio. Jill Miller contributes to that with her book The Roll Model. You learn how to relieve and erase painful knots in tissues with her rolling method. I am convinced that Pilatesglossy readers love to move and are interested in releasing tension and stress themselves. That is why I interviewed Jill Miller from The Roll Model. In the next issue of Pilatesglossy you will find a review of  her book.

Jill Miller, E-RYT, has 27 years of corrective movement expertise that forges links between the worlds of yoga, massage, athletics, and pain management. Her signature self-care fitness programs are found at fitness and yoga studios, hospitals, corporations and professional athletics worldwide. Jill has been featured in O Magazine, Yoga Journal, Shape, and Self, and on the Today Show, and is a contributing expert on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

She has presented at the International Fascia Research Congress (Vancouver, 2012) and is the author of The Roll Model: A Step-by-Step Guide to Erase Pain, Improve Mobility, and Live Better in Your Body, and is the creator of more than 50 DVD’s including Treat While You Train with Kelly Starrett DPT. 

The Roll Model Method is an empowering self-care/self-massage practice focused on soft-tissue conditioning and treatment.

What is The Roll Model method?

The Roll Model Method is an empowering self-care/self-massage practice focused on soft-tissue conditioning and treatment. Using pliable high-grip rubber balls, you unwind tensions known and unknown, familiarize yourself with your anatomy and improve your mobility and musculoskeletal health. The method helps you to better embody your own body and build confidence in your ability to heal your own aches and pains. It imparts stress relief, emotional soothing and overall wellbeing. It helps people regardless of age or health condition to establish a new normal in their posture, breathing and movement.

Can you give examples of what you and the clients do during The Roll Model sessions?

1) Students landmark and map the areas of the body that are the soft-tissue targets for the lesson.

2) Students CheckIn with their mobility, breath, posture and emotion prior to rolling. This can be a dynamic or static stretch, a breath exercise, or a body awareness scan.

3) Students use one or all of the 4 rubber Roll Model® Balls to massage into and around the target tissues. There are 9 self-massage techniques used in TRM and these will be used in a variety of ways according to the student’s needs.

4) Students are coached to breathe, modify their positions as needed and mobilize their joints in relation to the areas being massaged.

5) Once a roll-out is done, students will ReCheck their mobility, breath, posture and emotion. This can be a dynamic or static stretch, a breath exercise, or a body awareness scan.

When and why did you start practicing The Roll Model? 

I started performing self-massage on myself at age 18 or 19 at the suggestion of a yoga teacher in Evanston, Illinois. I was suffering from bulimia and had a hard time feeling that my abdominal muscles were firing (contracting) correctly. I mentioned this to my yoga teacher at the time, and she suggested laying my belly down on a large bean bag shaped like a hamburger bun in order to massage my abdomen and organs. This suggestion was made at the same time that I was also attending Shiatsu massage school. I began experimenting with multiple different self-massage implements and used them for emotional self-soothing as well as pain control and healing.

At age 19, I met my mentor Glenn Black, who taught a form of bodywork called Bodytuning®. He shared with me all of his hands-on techniques and still teaches me 24 years later. My Roll Model Method incorporates many of the same bodywork concepts I learned from Glenn into a self-massage practice that anyone can perform. My other big influences have been Gil Hedley, Kelly Starrett and Ellen Heed.

Do you participate in workshops on a regular basis?

I attend workshops when time permits. As a new mom, I do a lot of study online. The most influential coursework I have done in the past 10 years has been the compassionate cadaver dissection labs run by Gil Hedley.

I am constantly developing self-care fitness formats.

What made you decide to make work with The Roll Model your profession?

The Roll Model is simply one branch of a much larger movement paradigm that I have created. My company is called Tune Up Fitness Worldwide, and under its umbrealla, I have developed Yoga Tune Up®, Coregeous®, The Roll Model®, Treat While You Train. I am constantly developing self-care fitness formats.

Do you own a special The Roll Model studio?

I have a home studio where I work with private clients. I, and my teaching team lead my teacher trainings all over the world. We have more than 400 Yoga Tune Up® Teachers worldwide.

I am constantly solving issues with my methodology. I am also constantly learning about the marvels of anatomy and physiology because of my work.

Can you tell us more about your educational program?

I have 8 modules that comprise my teacher training program. All of my course work builds on one another, and there are no pre-requisites to any course. They are like pieces of an interconnected pie. (see all courses here: https://www.yogatuneup.com/yoga-teacher-training)

• Level 1 Certification Training
• YTU Integrated Embodied Anatomy Training
• The Roll Model® Method – The Science of Rolling
• The Roll Model® Method – Ball Sequencing and Innovation
• Hips Immersion
• Shoulders Immersion
• Core Integration Immersion
• Breath and Bliss Immersion

Did you solve your own body issues or do you keep them under control with The Roll Model?

I am constantly solving issues with my methodology. I am also constantly learning about the marvels of anatomy and physiology because of my work. I know how to address issues as they arise, and I also have developed keen research skills to find answers to help myself and my students.

You have the courage to help yourself first before draining your wallet, resources and dignity by looking outside of yourself for healing. You can take life by the balls!

How many lessons do you teach each week?

I teach one public class a week and a few privates. My biggest concentration now is on mentoring my teaching team and being a new mom.

What is your own vision of The Roll Model?

The Roll Model is a non-denominational practice that helps anyone with a body to live better in it. We have seen massive adoption by the yoga and pilates communities as well as CrossFit, athletes and pain clinics. We are thrilled to be able to support so many different people from all walks of life no matter their age or health condition. The possibilities of making self-care the NEW healthcare are thrilling. I receive success stories every day, so I know that we are onto something that is truly engaging users all over the map.

The majority of people are deeply stressed, and their mental distress is a major contributor to keeping pain chronic in their lives.

What is the biggest insight The Roll Model gave you?

The majority of people are deeply stressed, and their mental distress is a major contributor to keeping pain chronic in their lives. Using The Roll Model Balls is a safe and inexpensive way to investigate your emotional unrest as well as your physical hurts. These “rubber drugs” come with only positive side effects and empower you to be the agent of change instead of being in a subordinate position to an expert who fixes you. People are hungry to have their personal power back….and these little rubber balls make that difference in so many lives.

Do you cooperate with other The Roll Model instructors?

All of our teaching team is very close and we share our successes and challenges with one another. Each month, I lead my teachers on a Coaching Call where we share stories, professional advise and improve our presentational skills.

What is the funniest thing you have ever experienced with The Roll Model?

It’s ALWAYS funny when you are talking about balls. No matter what community we teach too, students inevitably start giggling when they are told to “touch your balls” “move your balls” “your balls are too high.” Etcetera. It’s never not funny!

What is your The Roll Model dream?

You have the courage to help yourself first before draining your wallet, resources and dignity by looking outside of yourself for healing. You can take life by the balls!

 

 

 

 

Jill Miller; Tune Up Fitness worldwide

yogatuneup.com therollmodel.com

Twitter/Insta @yogatuneup

FB: Jill Miller info@yogatuneup.com