In this episode, we're going to delve into the essential topic of self-care for piano teachers, exploring six distinct types: physical, emotional, social, personal, financial, and work self-care. Drawing from my own experiences and insights, I'll share some practical advice and strategies to help you prioritize your well-being amidst the demands of your busy life. Tune in to discover how small, intentional changes can make a big difference in managing stress and enhancing your overall quality of life.

• Rachel shares her experience of being a new mom during a stressful period and learning the importance of self-care.
• She introduces the six types of self-care: physical, emotional, social, personal, financial, and work self-care.
• Physical self-care involves exercise, healthy eating, and hydration, with practical tips for teachers.
• Emotional self-car, including meditation, journaling, and finding support.
• Social self-care emphasizes boundaries and the importance of supportive social interactions.
• Personal self-care highlights the joy of playing music for relaxation.
• Financial self-care involves managing finances and setting appropriate lesson rates.
• Work self-care focuses on setting boundaries and creating a manageable schedule.
• Rachel encourages listeners to choose one type of self-care to focus on.

Links Mentioned

• Music and Mind Book
• Sharon Regier on Feeding a Hungry Family after Teaching All Day
• TopMusic Piano Podcast 021: The Intersection of Piano and Yoga with Tiffany Pinhorn Smith
• TopMusic Piano Podcast 024: Setting Your Piano Studio Rates with Andrea Miller
• Whole Body Learning Teaching Beginner’s Course

About Rachel Ehring

Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at https://rachelehring.com/
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender Music

Thank you for tuning in!

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

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