Sakonnet Times (Portsmouth, Rhode Island, USA): She Teaches Inner Peace

Tan Wong, 51, of Portsmouth, starts every morning with the gentle movements of Falun Dafa, an ancient Chinese practice of exercises and meditation to center the mind and body. She discovered the tradition when a friend told her about a class in Boston's Chinatown, and has been practicing and learning the philosophy for 10 years.

She said that as a pharmacist technician at Newport Hospital, her job can be demanding and stressful, but practicing the slow, easy stretching movements opens and cleanses her energy and her mind becomes focused with the meditation, in which she sits and clears her mind. Seeing the difference Falun Dafa has made in her life, she is sharing it with others through free classes at the Newport Library, the first from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14.

In her homeland of China, Falun Dafa began as a practice restricted to a master teaching one student. But the practice recently reversed to open the tradition to all who want to learn. By the end of the 20th Century, China claimed 70 to 100 million Falun Dafa practitioners, who have been persecuted in forced labor camps and even alleged torture and death since it was banned by the Chinese president in 1999.

Born in Canton, China, she also lived in Hong Kong when it was still owned by the British.
She and her parents and sister moved to Middletown when she was in her 20's, and then eventually, Portsmouth. Craving a climate similar to the part of China they lived in, her parents and sister moved to Los Angeles, but she stayed in Portsmouth with her husband Lester, an engineer, and her two daughters who are now in college.

People's interest began with a parade float. "We had a float in the Bristol Fourth of July Parade with people sitting and doing the exercises. We also had the drum dance and ribbon dance. And people really, really liked it. They clapped every time we went by."

Why practice Falun Dafa? "It will improve your health tremendously, reduce stress and increase your body's energy. If you have a blockage somewhere it will gradually open up (through stretching exercises)."

Like to practice in groups or alone? "If possible, I like to do it in a group because you feel the energy sharing from one to another."

Best practice time of day? "Early morning is best for me. The air is clear, sun is coming up and there is less noise. Outdoors is best. I practice in my back yard."

Whom do you want to reach? "Women, because I work in hospitals and there are many nurses who are such good caregivers. They care for patients but they don't take care of themselves."

Hope for students to get out of class? "I hope they learn it and they keep practicing. They will find it helps them to increase their health situation and find inner peace."

Previous work? "I have done floral design for weddings and parties. When the girls were little, I worked at home."

Most difficult origami shape you make? "A dinosaur. The lotus flower is probably the most enjoyable one to make because in Chinese tradition it represents purity and peacefulness. I make them and feel connected to them."

Musical talent? "I used to play the violin when I was young."

Favorite food? "I find that I like fruit and vegetables better than meat, especially stir-fry vegetables. When I came to this country, I learned to eat salad. But if there's a choice, I love Italian food: Pasta. I also love Portuguese food."

Best Chinese food around? "Boston's Chinatown. I find the Chinese food around here is very suitable for American tastes."

Why did you stay in Portsmouth? "My family is here. For me to choose, I would like warmer weather. I don't like the four-season change. I like one set of clothes."

Difficult to learn English? "I'm still very bad at it. But when you're put in an area where there are no Chinese people, then you're forced to learn it."

How many languages do you know? "I also learned to speak Cantonese and Mandarin which is a plus for Chinese because most can only speak their dialect."

Feeling after practicing Falun Dafa? "I open my eyes and find that colors are brighter. You feel like you've been filtered. The negative things have all been washed away. I feel like I've pulled everything back together."

"When your inside is pure, you will be kind to others."