The Rewards of Teaching

I have been teaching at our main library downtown here in central Louisiana, and often people come to the library on the bus when they have no other transportation. We are encouraged to offer free community classes through our nonprofit hospital. 

Sixteen people from all walks of life come to class, and we soon stirred up the Chi together. One student in the enthusiastic class made a poster board with Six Healing Sounds showing corresponding hand movements and a broom for “sweeping water out the door.”

Another student also stood out. She was quiet, shy and stayed in the back. I realized during the second week that her front teeth were missing and maybe that was why she didn’t say much. But then I realized something more important and humbling while doing Rocking Motion: she had two thumbs but no fingers. I talked about allowing daylight between the fingers and turning them up on the way forward and turning them down on the way back. Here I was, a white middle class woman talking about soft fingers and soft jaw and this beautiful African American woman had no teeth and no fingers. And her practice was soft and beautiful. Irma really got it early on.

During those eight weeks at the library Irma never missed a class and she came on the bus each time, sometimes in pouring rain. On the last week I invited the group to join me across town at the hospital where I work, where I’d be offering the course again and they could attend for free.

On the first day of class at the hospital, there was Irma walking across the parking lot from the bus stop. We exchanged big hugs. It’s our third lesson and Irma still stays in the back, but her smile is radiant and I know she is benefiting from our time together. I’ve never felt so rewarded as a teacher or humbled. May you have an Irma in your class one day.