(Minghui.org) Since 1995, residents and tourists in the 19th District of Paris have been able to see the Falun Gong exercises every morning next to the lake in the lovely Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

The Falun Gong exercise site in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Back in 2004, a reporter from the newspaper L'Union en Ligne, interviewed practitioners at this exercise site and published an article introducing Falun Gong under the newspaper's “Meditation” column. The article noted, “Falun Gong is a method of self-meditation to refine the body and mind... The exercises, including a sitting meditation, are easy to learn and they can make you feel relaxed and increase your energy levels.”

The article reached many people. Many came to learn the exercises, and more came to learn about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Even today, there are still readers calling the number listed on the web link to this article, asking how to start practicing Falun Gong.

An orthopedist really enjoyed doing the Falun Gong exercises and he often recommends that his patients stop at the exercise site in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Most of his patients have indeed improved their health through the practice.

Two years ago, a young Spanish man came to the exercise site four mornings in a row to learn the exercises. He was very excited to find out about Falun Gong and very grateful to the practitioners who taught him the exercises for free. He also downloaded Zhuan Falun to his laptop, and studied the teachings carefully.

Many Chinese people have also witnessed the beauty of Falun Gong here over the last 21 years. Many of them greet the practitioners on their daily walks or jogs through the park.

People from all walks of life, from soccer stars, dancers, to housewives, have learned the exercises at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Quite a few of them have continued to practice Falun Gong, embracing the journey in this traditional cultivation practice.

One practitioner, who started practicing Falun Gong in 2006, said that she and her husband looked up this exercise site soon after they first heard about Falun Gong.

“Without delay, we went there. During our first visit, my eyes were filled with tears. I felt so at home,” she said. Practitioners taught them the movements and lent them several Falun Gong books. After this visit, they officially started practicing Falun Gong.