PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A practice that is held by millions around the world will be celebrated on Independence Mall on Sunday.

The practice of Falun Gong or Falun Dafa began in May of 1992 in a humble schoolhouse in Northeastern China. Today, it’s practiced in 100 countries by over 100 million people and taught in 30 languages.

The slow-moving meditative exercises come with a philosophy of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. In 1999, the Chinese government declared it illegal. Cindy Wang practices in Philadelphia. She says exposure during the 2008 Beijing Olympics did not help.

“The persecution actually was more harsh because all of the arrests of the Falun Gong practitioners was under the name of sustaining the stability of China,” she said.

The public is invited to join a free celebration and public teaching at the People’s Plaza on Independence Mall Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio