Yoga on the fly

Actress Acharapan Paiboonsuwan combines dharma and yoga to bring strength of body and inner peace to her students

Veteran actress Acharapan "Auntie Ji" Paiboonsuwan turns 61 this year but thanks to a passion for dharma and yoga has the slim and flexible body of a woman 20 years younger.

She recently opened her first yoga studio, the aptly named "Yoga & Me", at Crystal Design Centre (CDC). The studio offers four yoga programmes; Hot Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Plus Yoga, and the popular "Yoga Fly", which involves swinging on a rope challenging not only gravity but also physical strength.

Besides the obvious health benefits of practising yoga with experienced teachers in a well-equipped facility under the principle of holistic caring for body and mind, students at Yoga & Me can be sure of going home with uplifted spirits. Acharapan inserts her dharma teachings in a fun and lively atmosphere yet maintains the mindfulness movement throughout her class.

"We practice yoga with respect for our body. If we stretch deeply, breathe fully and feel happy every day, we get a good figure as a bonus," says Acharapan, who has no problem fitting into size "S" clothes.

Acharapan, has been practising dharma for more than 30 years and doing daily yoga for nine. Age is not an issue, she says. "Yoga practice allows you to slowly and gradually achieve better body balance Whereas I used to stand on my two feet, now I can easily balance on one, which delights me. Today, I climb into the swing to do gymnastics and that's probably an over estimation on my part," she says, laughing. "At first, my aim in practising yoga was not to be a burden as I grew old. I wanted to be strong, independent and helpful to others."

Yoga & Me occupies 500 square metres of functional space and is decorated in natural wood tones and blessed with plenty of natural light, giving it a warm and contemporary ambience.

There are two high-ceilinged yoga rooms, plus a spacious reception area as well as changing rooms with 10 shower cubicles. "Everyone visiting the studio feels that they are at home. They can hang around and chat, read books or magazines and have some coffee," Acharapan says.

The goal of a yoga studio, she continues, should be the happiness of its students, with inner peace and relaxation of body and mind easily reachable. "To practise yoga is to focus |on body, mind and breathing as one. Otherwise, the postures are simply an exercise."

For that reason, she doesn't believe that yoga can be learned from DVDs or a book. A proper instructor allows the |student to fully concentrate both body and mind.

"No matter what you are doing, body and mind should become one. Dharma teaching is about monitoring the mind. Without total focus, we can never find inner peace.

"I've been practising dharma in various ways and find that by focusing the mind to the centre-bottom of my chest, I see everything more clearly. I believe we are not born to reimburse karma (deeds), but to determine moral authority. Once we become a giver, we become an ample person."

Once a month, Acharapan hosts dharma teaching by venerable Bhikku Thammatipo.

February's session take place today from noon to 2pm.

Despite being busy with the studio, Acharapan hasn't quit acting. She stars in a new drama that will be on the air next month.

FUN WITH FITNESS

<< Yoga & Me Studio is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 8.45pm and on Saturday and Sunday until 5.30pm.

<< You can experience Yoga Fly for Bt290, reduced from Bt690, until a special offer that runs until March 31.

<< Find out more at (02) 1022975-6 or check out Facebook/yogaandme.