An overview of yoga for traders: how can stretching your mind stretch your profits?

Trading is probably one of the most mentally demanding jobs out there. As a trader you’d have to analyze the stock market quickly, adopt with the fluctuations and make fast precise decisions. But doing all that under the pressure of an unstable market, with the fear of losing all you’ve got, makes it even harder! So trading isn’t just about numbers. It’s about keeping your cool when things get rough, staying sharp when everyone else is panicking, and making decisions with a clear mind.

But how can you clear your mind from all the stress? How to stay calm during trading?

The answer is yoga. Yes you’ve heard that right! Yoga can be a powerful tool for trading stress management. That is why in today’s article we are going to learn about yoga for traders. So if you want to learn about benefits of yoga for traders, learn the moves that can help you in trading stress management and explore meditation for trading focus, you’ve come to the right place!

You can also read: Wall yoga poses for beginners

Why would a trader even consider yoga?

A lot of people think yoga is just for people in sweatpants, sipping their Matcha tea. But they couldn’t be more wrong! Yoga is actually a science-backed practice that can help you with stress management, increase your focus and ultimately aid you in making better decisions. In fact, according to an article by the Harvard Medical School, yoga can reduce stress and improve emotional resilience [1].

According to another study by the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, that examined the effectiveness of yoga in enhancing emotional well-being and resilience to stress among university employees, The six-week yoga intervention resulted in significant improvements in feelings of clear-mindedness, composure, elation, energy, and confidence. In addition, the yoga group reported increased life purpose and satisfaction, and feelings of greater self-confidence during stressful situations [2]. These results show that even a short program of yoga is effective for enhancing emotional well-being and resilience to stress in the workplace.

How can yoga help you in trading?

Let’s take a look at the benefits of yoga for traders:

• Better decision-making: Yoga is a practice of mindfulness, teaching you to focus on the present moment. So it can teach you how to make clearer decisions without second-guessing them.
• Improved brain function: Studies suggest that yoga may hold promise to mitigate age-related and neurodegenerative declines. So it can improve your brain’s function and help it keep working like a clock as you get older [3].
• Improved Focus and Patience: According to a study by National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, there was a significant improvement in attention, concentration, and memory after practicing yoga _ the 3 things you need most as a trader [4]!
• Less Stress and Anxiety: According to a research published by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, yoga significantly reduces cortisol levels so it can actually lower your stress levels [5].
• Posture & Physical Health: Sitting over a screen for hours takes a toll on your body. Back pain? Stiff neck? Well, say no more! Regular yoga practice improves your posture and keeps you physically balanced.

Sample Yoga Routine for Traders

Now that you know why yoga is worth your time, here’s a sample yoga routine for traders:

Child’s Pose

1. Come to your hands and knees on the mat and spread your knees as wide as your mat.
2. Press your hips back.
3. Begin to stretch your hands forward. As you do so Rest your belly between your thighs and put your forehead on the floor.
4. As you stay in this pose, pay attention to your breath, making sure to soften during the exhales.
5. Hold for 2 to 3 minutes.

Why should I do this?

Child’s pose engages your parasympathetic system, helping you relax just like a baby! It’s the perfect start for cooling you down and releasing your stress. It also takes the pressure of your neck, lower back, thighs, and ankles, making you feel less tension

Downward Dog

1. Come up onto all fours.
2. Tuck your toes under, and lift your hips into the air, forming an upside-down “V.”
3. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.

Why should I do this?

This pose improves circulation to your brain. It also stretches out those tight hamstrings and back muscles, which probably need it after sitting in front of your trading screen for hours.

Warrior II

1. Stand tall with one leg forward, knee bent at a 90-degree angle.
2. Stretch your arms out to the sides, look straight ahead, and breathe deeply.
3. Do the same with the other leg.

Why should I do this?

The warrior makes you feel strong, boosting your confidence. Also, you have to maintain a great deal of focus to hold this pose, so it helps you practice staying present at the moment. This can be effective when you have to make a decision later on, helping you choose the best options without being afraid of the past or the future!

Tree Pose

1. Stand on one leg.
2. Rest the foot of your other leg against your inner thigh (or lower if you feel uncomfortable)
3. Bring your hands together in front of your heart or stretch them above your head.

Why should I do this?

Balance poses like Tree help improve your concentration and mental clarity. Just like in trading, if you lose focus, you fall. This practice keeps your mind sharp and calm.

Savasana (Corpse Pose)

1. Lie flat on your back.
2. Stretch your arms and legs comfortably on the ground.
3. Close your eyes, and breathe slowly. This is the moment to completely relax.

Why should I do this?

Savasana is the best ending to a calming yoga session for traders. It calms your mind, reduces stress, and gives you that mental refreshment to take on whatever the markets throw your way.

Conclusion

You need to understand yoga and meditation is not a magic recipe to success, however it gives you the mental clarity you need to stay in the game. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you’ll not only feel calmer but also make clearer, more strategic decisions. So you can use meditation for trading focus and incorporate yoga for stress management as a trader.

FAQ

References

[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/yoga-for-better-mental-health
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43024160
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6971819/
[4] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/2159676X.2015.1099562
[5] https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga-effectiveness-and-safety