Bangkok Post - 10/26/2007

THIS IS LIFE

Stretching a point

Parichart Silpa-archa, the darling daughter of a very well-known Thai politician, talks about the benefits she has gained from being a yoga teacher

KANOKPORN CHANASONGKRAM

She's the straightforward type, admits Parichart Silpa-archa, who will directly tell you what she likes and doesn't like. She's also a fast-paced person, one who gets very irritated when things go too slow. So how could a dynamic person like her keep still in a yoga session?

Surprisingly, her ability in body-bending led to her representing Thailand at an international yoga competition. And now, as a dedicated instructor at Yoga Elements Studio in Chidlom, she's helping others with their prayanama (breathing techniques) and accomplishing physically challenging postures.

The second daughter of Suphan Buri's widely-known politician, Banharn Silpa-archa, she was formerly in public relations before plunging into something that her family wasn't familiar with. While her siblings have followed their father's footsteps into the political arena, Parichart pursues an interest in health and beauty, with yoga as a pleasurable activity to keep fit and firm.

At first, her father wasn't quite sure that she was serious about making it a career. After observing her conducting classes, he now fully supports her yoga teaching profession and proudly tells people what his darling daughter is doing.

How's life as the daughter of a famous politician?

There are pros and cons but the advantages obviously outweigh the disadvantages.

Advanced yoga positions are now a piece of cake for Parichart.  — VIRAPOJ ASAVAJARN

Firstly, wherever I go, whatever I do, people kindly help me out and give me their cooperation because of the respect they have for my father and mother. My parents are like my guardian angels.

On the negative side, there are people who may not like us, who may even despise politicians. I totally understand them because in general Thai politicians have a bad name, and as a consequence so do their families and children.

I really don't pay much attention to what people think about me and my family because they don't personally know us. But once they do get to know me they will realise by themselves my true nature, which may change their attitude towards me and my father and they'll see that there are good politicians in Thailand.

I have to set a good example, though, because whatever I do or say will affect my father's reputation. If I misbehave, it will instantly reflect my upbringing. But all I want to say is that my father and mother did a perfect job in parenting, in nurturing me into who I am today.

Can you give us an example of their parenting techniques?

My mum didn't spoil us like many people may think. She raised us within a framework and with a cane! She now feels bad about being so strict and punishing us this way but I told her that if I had children I would use the same old-fashioned methods. In my mind, she's the best mum in the world.

How would you describe yourself?

I'm rather a jai ron (impatient) person - born to be impatient, which I can't easily shake off. In a yoga class, I can calm down because I'm concentrating on breathing and synchronising my breath with the movements. Compared to other forms of exercise, yoga is wonderful because you can control your body through a steady mind. In my daily life, when I feel a fire starting within, I can now better control my emotions.

Did you take up yoga to be a calmer person?

Parichart is interested in health and beauty and has no plans to play politics. — ANUSORN SAKSEREE

That wasn't exactly my motive in starting yoga. From looking at pictures in yoga books, the beautiful postures completely turned me on. By following the instructions, I tried to do them by myself but couldn't. It seemed easy but it wasn't and so I took yoga classes in order to do it correctly and safely.

I'm not a sportsgirl at all, I'm very bad at sports actually. So it was surprising to find that I could excel in yoga, which I do to keep healthy. Physically, it strengthens my body by correcting my weak points, like having tight shoulders and hips. Spiritually, as a kind of meditation it calms me down.

Do you regard it as trendy to go to yoga classes?

No, it's a timeless health-promoting activity. After practising yoga for four years, I feel that I'm in better shape in terms of stronger muscles than many women of the same age. But it does take effort and self-discipline to do it regularly and I dedicate 90 minutes for my daily yoga. Beginners and amateurs should do it at least three times a week.

Instead of viewing it as a trend, or beauty or slimming therapy, people should focus on yoga for health. And once you have a healthy mind, body and spirit from doing yoga, glowing skin is a bonus. Anyway, for whatever reason, I encourage everybody to try out yoga so that they will know its real benefits.

What makes you a good yoga instructor?

When Adrian Cox, director of Yoga Elements studio, who's one of my first yoga instructors, gave me the opportunity to teach at his studio, I was very excited. I never thought that I would end up doing it as a profession.

It was a consequence for having a passion for yoga. But being a good instructor is not about having an expertise in performing complicated postures. The task is to help students develop themselves in mastering the postures and getting the full benefits of yoga.

A good teacher should have what I call an "art of teaching". I found out that I have a love for teaching. Teaching from your heart and being a clear-cut communicator will make it easier for students to understand what we're trying to do in yoga.

You may ask that how could an impatient person like me be a good instructor? But you will be surprised to find a calmer Parichart in a yoga class. It's like being an actress, who on stage has to concentrate on playing her role, and when I put on an instructor's hat I forget about my worries and everything else and focus on transferring my yoga skills to students.

Did you have any difficulties with handling students?

At first, what made it difficult for me was that I had to conduct classes in English to multinational students. Because it's not my native language, I followed a lesson plan and had a script of exactly what to say from "Hello, good morning". Even though I thought that I was well-prepared, I remember that I was very nervous teaching my first class.

Now I can do it naturally without having to worry about what to say and so I can fully concentrate on transferring my knowledge and skills to the students I teach.

Can you share some beauty secrets?

Besides good genes from my mother, I happened to be an early starter in caring for my skin. You can't wait till middle age because by then etched wrinkles will be difficult to treat and anti-ageing creams will be a waste of money.

It's not necessary to use expensive skincare products, just use those that suit your skin. My secret is simply consistency.

Beauty, to me, is not about having a pretty face but good skin and personal appearance.

You have good skin from your mother but in what ways are you like your father?

I seem to have a dynamic voice like him. Even when he whispers, everyone can hear what it's all about.

The Silpa-archas are all fighters, with my father as the perfect example. He's a man of remarkable calibre but I'm not half as competent as him.

What if he asked you to play politics?

My father hasn't made that move yet. But when the time comes I may have to help him, to express a daughter's gratitude because from the day I was born he has given me everything to make my life complete.

He also supports me in being a yoga instructor. Yoga has given me a lot: good health, a job, value of life and the most important thing - my parents are proud of what I'm doing.