UK: Teaching Falun Gong to a Local Group of Asian Ladies

I was recently contacted by the co-ordinator of a voluntary organisation in Leicester, which specifically organises training and events for its members. The members are all Asian women, predominantly of Indian origin. Membership of the organisation is free and uses the LETS system (Local Exchange Trading System), for women to swap skills and hobbies without exchanging money.

The co-ordinator had picked up a Falun Gong leaflet in the local library and was immediately interested in inviting me to teach Falun Gong to the LETS group. After I spoke to her about Falun Gong on the phone, without hesitation she asked me to do an introductory session, followed by 5 consecutive weekly sessions. She then made a great effort to advertise Falun Gong in her newsletter, and phoned around to invite her relatives and friends.

During the first session I gave a short presentation about the history of Falun Gong and spoke about how Falun Gong was founded on the universal principles of Truthfulness - Compassion - Forbearance. I gave out leaflets, Falun Dafa newspapers and referred to the book "China Falun Gong". I discussed with them how the practice improved physical health, mental and emotional stability and also brought about harmonious relationships with others and spiritual upliftment. I gave examples of how it had improved my life. I then talked about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. They were shocked about it. The co-ordinator translated into Gujarati (an Indian language), for the elderly ladies. One lady who walked with a stick and had arthritis, asked me questions through the interpreter. She was interested in trying the exercises, particularly after I mentioned that many of the practitioners in China were elderly.

I showed a video made by a practitioner who had spent time in India teaching Falun Gong. The Leicester ladies were inspired by watching their "sisters" in India learning Falun Gong and hearing them share their experiences of the practice. They were transfixed by the video and all put down their names to attend the next sessions where I would teach the exercises.

There were about 12 Indian women at the first session, of all ages, some wearing the traditional saris or punjabi suits. The co-ordinator came with her elderly mother and two teenage daughters. Each session I devoted to teaching one exercise. The second session onwards I taught a new exercise and went over the exercises learned in previous sessions.

The ladies liked to practise for a while, then have a break to drink orange squash, have a chat and then practise again. It was very relaxed and informal, but they were always keen to keep going over an exercise to become familiar with it. They had a natural grace and were very quick to learn. Some of the ladies bought the exercise video and the co-ordinator borrowed my copy of "China Falun Gong".

An elderly lady, over 70, who often wore a sari, and needed to walk with a stick, sat down while I taught the 4th exercise - Falun Heavenly Circulation, as she found it difficult to bend down. She copied the movements as she sat in a chair. However, the next time I put the music on and we did the other exercises, she continued to practise and managed to bend down very well. She had forgotten that she couldn't bend down!

The ladies enjoyed the relaxing, flowing movements and were inspired by the music, imbued with Truthfulness - Compassion - Forbearance. Some of them practised at home in between sessions and found the exercises beneficial.

At the end of the 5 sessions the ladies were keen to carry on with the sessions, and there were many other Asian ladies who now also wanted to learn Falun Gong so the co-ordinator booked another 5 sessions. Photographs of the ladies practising Falun Gong were taken for their newsletter. As a thank you gesture she invited me to their Diwali (Indian festival of light) party.