---
title: Beyond Stress Release and Burnout- From A Sceptic Teacher To Sound Healing
description: Explore a woman’s journey from teacher to sound healer as she champions simple stress relief, mental wellbeing and authentic self-care for women
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2025-07-23T11:39:14.000Z
updated: 2026-02-26T22:05:22.668Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/beyond-stress-release-and-burnout-from-a-sceptic-teacher-to-sound-healing
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/mbqifklvowm.jpg
categories: Wellbeing
content_type: Profile
region: Global
publication: Rich Woman Magazine
---

After 33 years of teaching eight and nine-year-olds, Edna Medinilla found herself at a breaking point. The pandemic had triggered an identity crisis, chronic back pain made every day a struggle, and despite decades of caring for others, she couldn’t find a way to care for herself. Traditional medicine offered endless medications but no real relief. The perfect wellness routines flooding social media felt impossibly out of reach.

Sound familiar? If you’re exhausted by the pressure to optimise every aspect of your wellbeing, you’re not alone. [Wellness burnout is increasingly recognised](https://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/mind-and-body/2025/May/21/wellness-influencer-burnout-is-realwhy-everyones-tired-of-being-so-healed) as women feel overwhelmed by Instagram’s relentless pursuit of flawless habits like cold plunges and breathwork that appear curated and unrealistic.

Edna’s story offers a different path – one that doesn’t require you to become a wellness warrior overnight.

## A Life Devoted to Others

‘When I was little, in kindergarten, they asked what you want to be when you grow up. I knew from the start that I wanted to be a teacher,’ Edna shares. For over three decades, she poured her energy into igniting young minds, finding deep satisfaction in nurturing children’s growth and curiosity.

Like many educators, the demands took their toll. [Teachers in the US experience higher stress levels](https://www.devlinpeck.com/content/teacher-burnout-statistics) than many other professions, with burnout rates becoming a significant concern. The pandemic amplified these pressures, forcing many to question not just their careers but their very identities.

For Edna, this period of reflection came with physical symptoms that couldn’t be ignored – persistent back pain, swelling and sciatica that made daily life increasingly difficult.

## When Perfect Wellness Feels Impossible

Faced with the prospect of managing her pain through endless medications, Edna began exploring alternatives. The wellness world can feel overwhelming when you’re already struggling. The perfectly curated routines dominating social media often create more stress than they relieve.

Edna isn’t alone in feeling this way. [Many women experience burnout from wellness pressure](https://richwoman.co/article/relief-for-the-burnout-how-wellness-founders-find-freedom-when-they-let-go-of-sales), feeling exhausted by the constant need to optimise their health, leading to guilt and mental fatigue rather than the promised results.

Edna’s journey began with small steps into [homeopathy, herbs and essential oils](https://richwoman.co/article/energy-flow-and-balance-a-cultural-shift-that-is-helping-women-sleep-better). She wasn’t seeking a complete lifestyle overhaul – just something that actually worked.

## The Sound That Changed Everything

It was the healing resonance of singing bowls that began to shift something fundamental for Edna. Unlike the complex routines she’d seen elsewhere, sound healing offered something beautifully simple: you just listen.

[Research shows that singing bowl therapy](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5871151/) can offer realistic benefits including deep relaxation, reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality. The sustained sounds and vibrations activate the parasympathetic nervous system, potentially lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

For someone sceptical of wellness trends, these measurable effects were compelling. Edna pursued certification as a singing bowl therapist, discovering that the practice required minimal training whilst offering genuine stress reduction.

Her exploration deepened when she encountered [Donna Eden’s energy healing approach](https://edenenergymedicine.com/). Unlike mainstream therapies focused solely on physical symptoms, Eden Energy Medicine addresses the body’s electromagnetic and subtle energy systems through practical techniques like energy testing and meridian tracing.

## From Sceptic to Healer

The turning point came during a training session when Edna successfully helped alleviate another participant’s pain using energy healing techniques. This wasn’t about believing in something mystical – it was about witnessing tangible results.

‘I especially enjoy working with two types of clients,’ Edna explains. ‘Those ready to enhance their spiritual gifts to higher frequencies and those who feel lost, yet hold hidden healing abilities they’re not aware of.’

Her approach resonates with many women who don’t fit the Instagram wellness mould but still want to feel better. Rather than promising complete change, Edna focuses on [small, honest steps](https://richwoman.co/article/how-to-reclaim-calm-after-a-chaotic-summer-the-gentle-power-of-simple-routines) that people can actually manage.

## Healing Without the Overwhelm

Edna’s sessions reflect her teaching background – they’re educational, nurturing and completely free of judgment. [She offers energy healing](https://richwoman.co/article/from-cybernetics-to-consciousness-how-dr-ruth-l-miller-turned-the-illness-that-changed-her-wo), guided meditation and classes on connecting with archangels for guidance. The common thread is accessibility.

Her advice for moments of anxiety couldn’t be simpler: [stop, breathe, use sound baths for calming, start with short meditations](https://richwoman.co/article/andrea-howard-8-tips-to-instantly-cool-down-038-improve-your-mental-health-during-menopause). These practical stress relief techniques are exactly what many women are adopting – brief, home-based practices that fit into real lives.

The appeal lies in their simplicity. [Sound healing meditation](https://richwoman.co/article/finding-your-frequency-how-soul-echo-therapy-helps-women-heal-in-a-way-that-actually-feels-pe) allows participants to quickly reach deep relaxation states, making it accessible even for beginners who struggle with traditional meditation.

## A New Chapter After Three Decades

This year marks a significant change for Edna. After officially retiring from classroom teaching in June 2025, she’s dedicating her energy to guiding others who feel overwhelmed, lost or simply tired.

Her vision isn’t about creating another wellness empire. It’s about providing ongoing support for people looking to find calm through small, manageable practices. [She believes in fostering self-awareness and reflection](https://richwoman.co/article/daily-pet-care-for-busy-women-making-wellness-work-in-real-life) as a means to raise vibration, equipping people with tools to navigate modern life’s complexities.

Moving from traditional education to alternative healing reflects [a broader trend of educators](https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylrobinson/2024/02/22/teachers-heres-how-to-successfully-change-careers-after-burnout/) seeking new careers where their skills are valued and stress is lower.

## Finding Your Own Path

Her journey offers hope for anyone [feeling overwhelmed by wellness culture’s demands](https://richwoman.co/article/from-burnout-to-balance-how-sound-therapy-helped-a-hospice-nurse-heal-herself). You don’t need to master breathwork, take cold plunges or follow a perfect morning routine. Sometimes healing begins with something as simple as the [sound of a singing bowl](https://richwoman.co/article/sisters-on-the-vineyard-the-power-of-honest-conversation).

For women tired of being told they need to optimise everything, Edna’s approach offers a gentle alternative. It’s not about perfection; it’s about finding [small practices that actually make you feel better](https://richwoman.co/article/self-confidence-what-every-woman-needs-to-know-about-speaking-up), one breath at a time.

Sometimes [healing begins with something as simple as](https://richwoman.co/article/nature-s-ai-the-54-hidden-senses-that-can-calm-your-mind-and-help-you-heal) the [sound of a singing bowl](https://richwoman.co/article/tested-by-fire-serenity-at-the-lake-shrine-meditation-gardens).

Sometimes healing begins with something as simple as the [fresh start](https://richwoman.co/article/a-fresh-start-three-simple-detox-juices-when-you-want-to-give-up-on-detoxing) you give yourself.

She realises she has forgotten who she was before the responsibilities took over—someone creative, passionate about reading and writing. [Learning to feel good and happy again](https://richwoman.co/article/the-loneliness-pandemic-learning-to-feel-good-and-happy-again) may begin by reconnecting with your own passions and embracing new chapters after transitions like retirement or an empty nest.

Sometimes healing begins with [one small step](https://richwoman.co/article/when-having-it-all-feels-hollow-how-ashly-balza-calls-women-back-to-themselves) towards self-recognition and wholeness.
