(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners introduced the meditation practice at an Ecological Living Center on Saturday, July 15, 2023, on invitation by the Kadıköy Municipality. After the municipality opened registration for the Falun Dafa event on its website, it received a lot of attention, and registrations had to be closed due to space limitations.

Falun Dafa practitioners teach the exercises at an Ecological Living Center in Istanbul.

Before the afternoon event, a reporter from the newspaper Kadıköy Press interviewed practitioners. People of all ages attended the event, including the reporter's youngest daughter of the reporter. When they had to leave early, her daughter didn’t want to go and handed out exercise mats to everyone.

The daughter of the reporter of the Kadıköy Press learns the Falun Dafa exercises

Student: Falun Dafa Is a Good Practice

Ilgın Aktaş said practicing Falun Dafa benefits health.

Ilgın Aktaş, a recent graduate of Yıldız Technical University’s business department, said, “I had never heard of Falun Dafa before. When I saw it on the municipality’s event page, I did some research and noticed that it was not allowed in China. I was curious and wanted to join for a healthy life. I brought two of my friends too.”

She continued, “It caught my attention that there were people of all ages doing the exercises, and the person exercising right in front of me was an old lady. Some movements were hard for me, and I felt pain in places where I hurt in the past. I did not give up as the old lady continued the exercises with determination. I didn’t leave because she didn’t leave. Actually, what a great practice! We should continue. I think it is beneficial for health. I am not surprised that there is such persecution in China, because I am aware of the persecution of the Uighurs.”

Civil Servant: Falun Gong Changes My Life

Serpil Koç Gülbenzer

Serpil Koç Gülbenzer is a civil servant. “I learned about Falun Dafa in 2019 after a friend shared information with me on WhatsApp. I reached out to a volunteer practitioner and started to practice Falun Dafa. Even if I walk away from time to time, I cannot give up Falun Dafa,” she said.

“I love it a lot. It’s hard to describe what it did for me. Thanks to the practice, I quit smoking, and there were important and beautiful changes in my life. It changed my destiny, it changed my perspective. I can’t thank the Master of Falun Dafa enough, but I can’t find the words that would suffice. He saved us and enables us to elevate ourselves.”

Gülbenzer continued, “I am deeply saddened by the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. Horrible things are done to practitioners in China. They are imprisoned, and their organs are removed. My eyes fill with tears when I read about their situation. We do not know the value of this while we practice easily. Despite the persecution, the practitioners there do not give up their faith, and that is truly virtuous. I hope one day the persecution will end in China and they can freely cultivate.

“There was a very good energy at the event today. The participants were determined. I would like to attend the event again. Thank you,” said Gülbenzer.

Therapist Glad to Meet Falun Gong Practitioners

Dilbar Ganiyeva wishes to practice Falun Gong.

Dilbar Ganiyeva is a therapist and also a beautician. “I have received many different trainings. I am a healer,” she said. “While experiencing the exercises, I felt a different world. I really needed this energy. I was really exhausted on arrival, but now I feel like I am refreshed. I am so happy. I will continue this practice for the rest of my life. Thank you very much. I’m glad you’re here, and it's nice to meet you.”

At the end of the exercises, volunteers gave out origami lotus flowers with glass beads to the participants. Yasemin, the manager of the ecological life center, praised the event.