December 5th, 2005

Cat Rooney with her eyes closed stands squared on two feet, slowly she stretches her left arm in the air, then gently curls both arms above her head as she begins an ancient practice that, in China, is illegal. As such, it has prompted authorities there to put its practitioners to death.

Kansas residents practicing Falun Gong

Yet, in Lawrence the practitioners of Falun Dafa, a series of five gentle movements, thought to hasten peace and physical health, appear to be growing in popularity.

In the last five years, many people have come to buildings and parks around town to participate in the ancient mind/body practice. The local group that regularly practices together has grown from three to eight core people over the years.

People are now coming from surrounding areas such as Topeka, Baldwin and Eudora to get involved.

The Kansas City area also holds multiple activities throughout the week including beginner sessions, group practices and book studies.

The practice, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, has brought millions of people around the world better health and inner peace, however in China it is creating genocide, Lawrence practitioner, Cat Rooney said.

"The persecution fits the definition of genocide sent by the United Nations by the Geneva Convention," Rooney said. People who will not give up their beliefs in Falun Dafa are being mentally and physically harmed, she said.

Since the movement was introduced by Li Hongzhi in 1992, Falun Dafa, spread by word of mouth, is practiced by over 100 million followers, in 60 countries around the world and is available in over 30 languages.

The Human Rights Group in China documents over 2,780 people dying from torture and abuse and hundreds of thousands being detained and languishing in Chinese prisons, since the persecution of the Falun Gong began in 1999.

Rooney said the reasons for the persecution were due to the popularity of the practice and, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Jiang Zemin's desire to control and command the people.

"Apparently, 25 percent of the population is at any given time being persecuted to keep the other 75 percent in line," she said.

The practice of Falun Dafa consists of standing exercises and meditation, and living by the principles of truth, compassion and forbearance.

The exercise consists of five graceful and slow movements, four standing and one sitting meditation. The duration of the practice can last anywhere from five minutes to over an hour, depending on the how many exercises are done and how long each one is practiced.

To those who practice it, they claim it brings them peace, better physical and mental health, reduced stress, and better quality of life.

"The practice makes you a better person, a kinder person and a more moral person," Rooney said.

The results of Falun Dafa are also said to not only improve mind, body and spirit, but practitioners claim it has cured illnesses and health conditions of many individuals.

Cat Rooney said the practice gave her, her life back after an eight year battle with a chronic illness, which left her unable to eat, sleep or stand.

"In 18 months after I started practicing, I didn't have any illnesses, no chronic illness, no reaction to medication, no pituitary damage, no adrenal damage, like I had before, no dietary problems, no allergies and no pain, and I had previously been in severe pain," Rooney said.

Chores she used to hire people to do, because she was physically unable, she can now do on her own. She can clean the house, mow the lawn and enjoy activities she wasn't able to experience, such as throwing and casting clay pots.

Four year practitioner, Joyce Mitchell said she saw the improvements it made Cat Rooney's life and wanted try it. She said she also battled health problems and after she began practicing they disappeared.

"I had fiber myalgia, about 75 percent of all of the symptoms you can have with it, and they are gone," Mitchell said.

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Caption: Baldwin resident, Joyce Mitchell practices Falun Dafa daily

Originally from the province Jiangxi in China, Lian Fen Liu learned Falun Dafa in the city square in China. Only three days after reading the book, she said she threw away all her medications and her health improved.

Lian Fen Liu's husband, Huan Bo Tant said after watching the tremendous health improvements of his wife he felt encouraged and began practicing. He said his health also improved and he witnessed his neighborhood and friends, who had severe disease and health problems, get better.

After Woellhof suffered a mild heart attack, she began practicing and said she saw the benefits immediately. She said she highly encourages others to start practicing.

"It's very, very beneficial both physically and mentally and spiritually, I can't think of any reason not to practice, Woellhof said.

Of those who practice in Lawrence, no one takes medication. Lian Fen Liu said since she started practicing in March of 1998, she hasn't been sick since.

Even though Falun Dafa is considered illegal in China, local practitioners continue to practice and spread the word about the ancient practice, they believe has changed their lives.