About this activity
Falun Gong is an exercise system that consists of five meditation exercises, four of which take place while standing and one of which is done while sitting. Falun Gong aims to cultivate the mind, body, and spirit of the practitioner under the universal principle of “truthfulness, compassion, forbearance.” Three of these meditation exercises involve physical movement, while the other two are more stationary. After one round of meditation exercises is completed, exercises may be repeated; participants come and go as they choose, since there are no standardized rules or specialized patterns of form.
Origins & history
Falun Gong was introduced publicly in China in 1992, and has since spread to 60 countries, including Canada. In 1995, Falun Gong was introduced to the Chinese-Canadian community in Toronto.
When it happens
Falun Gong is an everyday activity on the streets, but some people privately practice at home as well. The Falun Gong has a local dance group and marching band to participate at cultural festivals.
Who takes part
The majority of GTA-based practitioners are ethnically Chinese, although Falun Gong allows different ethnic groups to participate and there are no exclusions in place to prevent one from becoming a member of the practice.
