At 55, veteran actress Acharaphan Paiboonsuwan has no reason to be jealous of younger women. She has a fit, firm body and her shape is a perfect model-like 34-26-34. It really isn't the figure many women have at that age.

She attributes this youthful shape to dharma and yoga, and last week launched a book to share her secrets.

Many friends from various fields, both old and young, came out in force to congratulate "Auntie Ji", as people in showbiz call her, on the accomplishment. At the launch she was surrounded by luminaries from show business and yoga fanatics, people who practise dharma and her old friends from school and university - Acharaphan is clearly always among friends.

However, the actress says she loves being alone.

"I always pull myself away from people when I have free time, especially on a shoot," says Acharaphan.

The actress has been an enthusiastic yoga practitioner since she discovered this ancient art three years ago. She says yoga calms her and promotes mindfulness.

"I almost lost heart after the first class," Acharaphan says. "The room was very warm. I couldn't hold on or stretch my muscles. I was exhausted and frustrated."

But she persevered, came to enjoy it and now goes daily to a yoga studio.

"Yoga is my life," says the actress-cum-yoga instructor.

In her book, "Cheewit Jingjang Kong Ji" ("Serious Life of Ji"), Acharaphan shares her secrets on how to be happy and find inner peace.

Despite the title, the account is far from serious. She says the title reflects her attitudes towards life. "I take life seriously, but don't get stressed. My way is to live a simple and easy life, but to be serious and sincere."

This is Acharaphan's seventh book, but she says it's different from her previous ones, which were compilations of columns she'd written for magazines. Unlike many celebrities who write books, Ji didn't use someone else to do the hard work.

"There were many publishing houses asking me to write about my life. I thought that it was a good opportunity to share about my life and my commitment to yoga and dharma. More than anything, I want to raise funds for the construction of a pavilion where people could come and meditate," says Acharaphan, adding that the pavilion is being constructed in Nakhon Pathom province.

Comprising 17 chapters, the 143-page book, which costs Bt230, tells about Acharaphan's youth, her life in showbiz, family, yoga, friends and dharma. There are also her photos of her in sexy outfits and yoga postures taken by professional photographer and editor-in-chief of Lips magazine, Sakchai Guy.  The actress started studying dharma and stopped eating meat more than two decades ago.

"Dharma promotes a peaceful lifestyle, mindfulness and kindness," says Acharaphan, who goes on a one-week retreat every year.

"I'm not perfect, though. I still get angry. But I realise quicker when I'm angry, and I'm able to tell myself to be calm down.

"Dharma is ordinary, simple and natural. Everyone can practice dharma and yoga. Both promote a healthy body and mind."

She weighed 58 kilograms before she took up yoga, and now, three years later, she's 10kg lighter.

Ji has been practising yoga very diligently and appreciates how it shares many principles with dharma, namely the focus on breathing, stretching, concentration, meditation and mindfulness.

"I don't like crowds. My work allows me to meet many people, but yoga helps me stay with myself. I can follow my breath and thoughts."

Yoga has also widened Acharaphan circle of friends. She's met younger people working in various fields, who've become good friends and joined in on her nationwide tour promoting yoga.

"There are many people who can't afford yoga classes. So I ask young people to share their yoga experiences. It's good to give back to society."

Acharaphan has been a yoga instructor at Absolute Yoga for more than a year. She teaches two classes a day and practises yoga every day.  "Yoga isn't just a part of my life, it is my life," she says.

Tanaporn Tangcharoenmankong

The Nation