Breathe. Hold. Invest: What Yoga teaches us about wealth creation
Investing isn't a destination, it's a lifelong journey that evolves with you, growing alongside you with each passing year.
In a world driven by instant gratification and volatile markets, both
yoga and investing
require something increasingly rare: discipline, patience, and mindfulness. By aligning the philosophy of yoga with financial habits, investors can create a more balanced relationship with their money.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
Most equity investors look for quick results. They micro analyse each day's market fluctuation, try to rethink each decision they made, second guess not only their own research but also the advises they have acted on from seasoned professionals. But when you look back at this moment 20 or 30 years from now, these fluctuations will feel like nothing more than a small blip in time.
Two decades ago, the Sensex was around 5,000 points. Despite several ups and downs like the Global Financial Crises where Sensex declined by more than 30% in less a 6 months period; a sharp fall of about 27% at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; and numerous periods of sideways movement, Sensex has yet again crossed the 81,000 mark. This is a 16.2x times gain in the 20 years period. This long-term growth underscores a vital lesson - patience and persistence are often the most rewarding strategies in not only Yoga but also in investing.
During every bout of volatility which could be triggered by events completely out of anyone's control, investors often feel depressed looking at the temporary losses in their portfolio values. Many even act impulsively and sell some of their investments. But most successful investors aren't chasing quick wins or reacting to every market shift. They think long-term, stay calm during volatility, and many times take advantage of the market nervousness to find some compelling ideas. The
power of compounding
is infact like yoga - it has the power to transform your life in ways that one would have never imagined. Ask someone who has spent years meditating in a disciplined fashion, the transformation that he/she has undergone. Somebody who has never meditated cannot even imagine the inner peace that someone with that experience has achieved. Just as no one masters a headstand on the first try or fully experiences the benefits of kapalbhati or pranayama within a few weeks, it's the steady ongoing practice that brings real transformation.
Live Events
Every session of Yoga begins with one fundamental instruction: focus on your breath. It's a call to anchor yourself in the present moment and not on what just happened or what's coming next. The same lesson applies to investing. People need to see beyond just returns if they want to create true wealth and that is possible only when you focus on the investment process and not on the investment outcomes.
When investing, one has to understand that despite all the research, analysis, and planning, there will always be elements of risk. You might pick the right fund, but the market may still dip leading to a broader level fall in your portfolio. You might invest at the perfect time, but returns could take years to compound. That's not failure, but a reality. A very important philosophy that applies here is '
aparigraha'
or non-attachment. By embracing non-attachment, investors can avoid the stress of trying to control every outcome. It's about being consistent, making thoughtful decisions, and then allowing the process to unfold. This is much like holding a yoga pose with presence and ease, rather than striving for perfection.
Yoga has been recognised globally to discover the essence of life. By focusing on the present, dealing day to day with equanimity, maintaining discipline to lead a balanced life and using meditation and exercises for both the mind and body, millions of people have achieved happiness. By incorporating some of these principles in our investment processes, we can have similar outcomes for our wealth as well.
(The author Raghvendra Nath is Managing Director, Ladderup Asset Managers. Views are own)
(
Disclaimer
: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
SBI Bank CBO Recruitment 2025: Reopen application form for 2900+ posts; apply here
SBI Bank CBO Recruitment 2025: Apply online for 2,964 officer posts by June 30 SBI CBO Recruitment 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) has reopened the online application process for the recruitment of Circle Based Officers (CBO) under Advertisement No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/03. This decision follows a recent corrigendum allowing candidates from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, who have passed Class 10 or 12 with English as a subject, to apply under the North East Circle. A total of 2,964 vacancies are on offer, comprising 2,600 regular and 364 backlog posts. Candidates with prior officer-level experience in Scheduled Commercial Banks or Regional Rural Banks are eligible. The revised application window is now open from June 21, 2025 to June 30, 2025. Eligibility criteria and language update for North East Circle In a key update, English has been included as a specified local language for candidates from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Applicants from these states who have studied and passed English as a subject in Class 10 or 12, and can provide proof via marksheets or certificates, are now eligible to apply for vacancies in the North East Circle. This change has led to the reopening of the registration portal, which remains unchanged in all other terms and conditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Applicants must be graduates and should possess at least two years of experience as officers in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank. The age of the candidate must be between 21 and 30 years as of April 30, 2025. Relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC (NCL), and 10 to 15 years for PwBD candidates, depending on category. Selection process and exam pattern The recruitment process includes an Online Test, followed by Screening, Interview, and a Local Language Proficiency Test. Final selection will be based on a weighted ratio of 75:25 between the Online Test and Interview. The Online Test comprises 120 objective-type questions split into English Language (30 marks), Banking Knowledge (40 marks), General Awareness/Economy (30 marks), and Computer Aptitude (20 marks), conducted over two hours. A 30-minute Descriptive Test will follow, including Letter and Essay Writing with a total of 50 marks. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. Salary and application fees The starting basic pay for selected candidates is ?48,480, along with two advance increments. The application fee for General, OBC, and EWS candidates is ?750. SC, ST, and PwBD applicants are exempted from the fee. Step-by-step guide to apply for SBI Bank CBO Recruitment 2025 Step 1: Visit the official SBI Careers website at Step 2: Click on 'Apply Online' under the CBO Recruitment 2025 section. Step 3: Register using a valid email ID and mobile number. Step 4: Fill in the application form and upload required documents: photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, educational and experience certificates, and ID proof. Step 5: Pay the application fee online, submit the form, and download the confirmation page for future reference. Direct link to apply online for 2,964 SBI Bank CBO 2025 officer posts Eligible candidates are advised to apply only for one Circle and must be proficient in the local language of that Circle unless exempted through academic credentials. Read the official notification here Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Report: Public Sector Banks increase market share amid slower credit growth in FY25; regain lending dominance
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. Public Sector Banks (PSBs) gained significant market share across lending segments and geographies in FY25 despite overall moderation in bank credit growth, a report by Union Bank of India has revealed. The shift was especially evident in working capital and demand loans, traditionally used by businesses for operational needs, as per news agency ANI. ' Credit growth slowed in FY25 yet PSBs gained market share vis-à-vis PVBs (Private Banks),' the report noted, adding that public sector lenders leveraged their balance sheets more effectively and cautiously, especially as private lenders saw reduced momentum. The Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio of private banks, though elevated due to an earlier credit push, sharply corrected in FY25, indicating a deceleration in fresh disbursements. In contrast, PSBs capitalised on regulatory tightening in the unsecured lending space, particularly targeting retail credit like housing loans, where they emerged as incremental leaders. The report also pointed out a shift in the sectoral distribution of credit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Private banks, once dominant in retail disbursements, lost ground due to tighter regulations, allowing PSBs to step in. Remarkably, state-owned banks also posted stronger growth in industrial credit, a segment previously dominated by private lenders. On the geographic front, PSBs saw strong performance in rural and semi-urban areas. Over 60 per cent of incremental credit in semi-urban regions and a significant share in rural belts were secured by public banks. Even in urban and metro areas, where private banks traditionally dominated, PSBs reclaimed some ground lost in FY24. In terms of borrower segmentation, credit to individuals continued its upward trajectory, signalling robust retail banking strength, the report said. The report aligns with broader findings released earlier this month by Boston Consulting Group, which noted that the BFSI sector was undergoing a period of moderate credit growth and profitability pressure. The sector's Net Interest Margins are under pressure amid repo rate cuts and elevated CD ratios, which have intensified the race for low-cost deposits. Despite this, PSU banks posted a 26 per cent year-on-year growth in profit after tax (PAT), outperforming private banks' 8 per cent growth. Deposit growth remained healthy at 11 per cent year-on-year, reaching Rs 229.3 lakh crore, although CASA growth stayed muted. The overall banking sector reported a 12 per cent rise in total net advances and a 13 per cent increase in aggregate credit in FY25, signalling that PSBs' tactical shift and rural resurgence helped them outperform amid macroeconomic headwinds. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Patience is key in markets as global uncertainties test new investors: Raamdeo Agrawal
Investors may face short-term stagnation, but enduring patience often leads to stronger long-term returns—especially critical for newcomers navigating today's uncertain market. Synopsis Market veterans urge patience amid current dull phases and geopolitical tensions. While returns may dip temporarily, long-term gains often follow extended periods of low performance. New investors should embrace this cycle with discipline and perspective. I was talking to some people they were saying that market is dull. What do we do? So, I said expect little lower return and get ready for a bigger return. Longer you wait for a low return, higher will be the return on the back ended. So, this is a time for a little patience, says Raamdeo Agrawal, co-founder of Motilal Oswal Group. ADVERTISEMENT Raamdeo Agrawal: Coming back to your question, markets have been actually very resilient if you look at a very long term, 10, 15, 17 years. It has been very predictable market and in last 16 years if you see, we have seen…, 16 years means we are talking about something like post GFC which is about 2008-09. So, after that only Covid has been one of the big breakdown, otherwise market has been very-very nice and scaling up. And from 2020 post Covid, we are seeing virtual boom from 8,000-9,000 post covid correction to now 24,000-25,000, so 3x in five years, so it is a very sustained rise and it is very resilient. I mean, good thing is that not only it is rising, the corrections are very-very shallow and so that is giving the confidence. Even it has given a lot more confidence to retail investors and so, yes, journey has been very good. Raamdeo Agrawal: So, I was talking to some people they were saying that market is dull. What do we do? So, I said expect little lower return and get ready for a bigger return. Longer you wait for a low return, higher will be the return on the back ended. So, this is a time for a little patience. Today market is good, but generally all these geopolitical challenges, the patience is a lot more required whenever the external environment becomes hostile. So, right now we are going through slightly turbulent environment and patience is the key one should… I mean, lot of people have come new in the system, almost like 60-70% people are less than five years into the market. So, they would have not…, their patience will be tested for the first time, so they should be ready to provide that necessary patience, no return kind of a zone for some time and then journey again starts. So, my sincere request to all the new investors would be that they should be ready to provide that patience which is the biggest fertiliser for long-term investing. ADVERTISEMENT Raamdeo Agrawal: No, there has been…, a downdraft for the gold must be low. Of course, gold has done much better than I ever thought it will do. One is that there is no outperformance to further gold performance. If gold has done 15% or index has done 15%, I think I must have done at least 20%, so that 5% is not possible in gold. It is only possible in equities and I mean, some of the guys might have done 25%, 30% also, that is not possible in gold unless you leverage and those kind of things. So, yes, I mean, gold has outperformed my own wildest expectation and it has emerged globally also as a very important bucket of value, so the people who believe in gold, of course, it is good news to them. And right now, it looks very, what do you call, bullish, but I would not put anything onto the gold. I am pretty comfortable. One of the things which Mr Buffett said is do what you understand. So, I understand only equities. So, I am pretty good at staying with equities. ADVERTISEMENT Raamdeo Agrawal: No, I still think capital market remains a big opportunity because it is asset light and it is very scalable and the firms, particularly is the opportunity size is one. Second is the scalability within, what do you call, opportunity itself, like if you look at the global asset management companies, now they do not talk in billions, they only talk in trillions. I mean, like there are $8 trillion, $10 trillion kind of a single asset management company. So, those kind of… As our AUM grows, we will also see that 10-15% of the total AUM would be with one AMC, like in India out of 40 lakhs equities, SBI must be having almost like 7-8 lakh crores. So, those kind of consolidated positions will be there on a much more enlarged asset base. When asset base goes from 40 lakh crores to 400 lakh crores, these giants will have their due share in the larger pie also. So that kind of a capital market… and capital market is very, I would say, at least to me it looks like very smoothly compounding and scaling as a GDP of the country grows and the entire system remains intact. So, the capital market opportunity still is a pretty large opportunity and now markets have valued it also somewhat. ADVERTISEMENT When we talked about three years back, valuations were very cheap. Now, people are realising that and it is showing up in the valuation. So, less attractive opportunity than what it was three years back, but nevertheless longer term that opportunity still stays pretty intact. But going to other segments, if the oil price stabilises about $65 or $60, all the OMCs which are there at current, currently available at literally one book or one-and-a-half book, 10 times, 12 times for their size of the businesses that seems to be kind of a great opportunity and it is very early trend. But let us see, I mean the government also has to be supporting in terms of policy making but that looks to be a big trend out here. Raamdeo Agrawal: So, like the real estate looks to be…, real estate, defence, energy transitions, capital market, I mean these are few themes which are coming immediately to my mind, they will grow at more like 20%, 22%, 25%. Even banking, banking on the whole, the kind of policy we are seeing, the regulator wants higher growth, credit growth rate. So, if the 13-14%, if they go back to the trend, credit growth rate, in that case mid-sized banks, well-managed banks they will grow at about 18-20% or more than that. So, yes, I mean, there are whole lot of sectors who will definitely grow. I mean, almost like one-and-a-half times of nominal GDP growth rates. ADVERTISEMENT Raamdeo Agrawal: I mean, you have to be selective what companies you buy because it is a very-very large sector and the companies have their own limitation in terms of execution. Every city has two-three very large realty companies. But then if you look at the whole country, as you go from current $4 trillion GDP to $8 trillion or $20 trillion, the biggest game in town is going to be the real estate company. Anybody makes money anywhere in stock market or anywhere, first thing they go is and splurge in buying a better house, good house and better house. If somebody has two bedroom, he will go for three-bedroom, they will go for better locality. So, real wealth effect of stock market and of the broader economy will be reflected in realty boom and that is what we are witnessing and I mean, it is just about three-four years old kind of thing, till about Covid things were absolutely in dumps. Of course, they have come back from there and a lot of companies are listed also and a lot of companies are going to come up, but in this space we will find some unknown tier III companies or tier II companies or small companies making big splash in next 5-10 years. Raamdeo Agrawal: Yes, so that I forgot to tell, but that is one thing which is going to be across, I mean, there is going to be so many companies from the digital side. The way US market is looking today that 8-10 digital companies are kind of a dominating the entire index movement or corporate profitability movement, those movements will also come maybe after five-seven years in terms of significance. Raamdeo Agrawal: I mean, that is company wise, you have to go very company-wise, listen to the story, eat, drink, and spend time with them and understand their story. At that time you are able to figure out, at least the way I go about doing it is spend a full day with the company, at the end of the day you will be able to figure out whether it is in the price or you are way above the…, I mean, underlying value is more than the price or price is more than the value that you will be able to figure out by spending full day with the company. Raamdeo Agrawal: I am not too sure that world will go without IT services companies like Infosys, TCS, and all. But AI computing or what AI role…, I mean role of services companies will be changing for sure and they have been changing right throughout, from a complete body shopping in 90s to project implementation and now very large complex projects and now the new angle which has come up is the AI computing. So, I mean how relevant they will be in this new…, and they will be relevant, I do not have any doubts. The issue is, are their role going to go up or they will go through this stagnancy process or some kind of a contraction also. Because it budgets, I mean in my own company IT budgets are not going down, it spend is continuing and it is always short, your projects are not getting completed in time. So, it is not that just AI is coming and eating away all the services, no, it is not happening in real life. Yes, there is some exciting development about the AI, some of the things can be done faster, but I am not the right person to pass a judgment, but I do not think it is down and out kind of situation, no. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel) Nikita Papers IPO opens on May 27, price band set at Rs 95-104 per share Nikita Papers IPO opens on May 27, price band set at Rs 95-104 per share Why gold prices could surpass $4,000: JP Morgan's bullish outlook explained Why gold prices could surpass $4,000: JP Morgan's bullish outlook explained Cyient shares fall over 9% after Q4 profit declines, core business underperforms Cyient shares fall over 9% after Q4 profit declines, core business underperforms L&T Technology Services shares slide 7% after Q4 profit dips L&T Technology Services shares slide 7% after Q4 profit dips Trump-Powell standoff puts U.S. Rate policy in crosshairs: Who will blink first? Trump-Powell standoff puts U.S. Rate policy in crosshairs: Who will blink first? SEBI warns of securities market frauds via YouTube, Facebook, X and more SEBI warns of securities market frauds via YouTube, Facebook, X and more API Trading for All: Pi42 CTO Satish Mishra on How Pi42 is Empowering Retail Traders API Trading for All: Pi42 CTO Satish Mishra on How Pi42 is Empowering Retail Traders Security, transparency, and innovation: What sets Pi42 apart in crypto trading Security, transparency, and innovation: What sets Pi42 apart in crypto trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Altcoins? How investors are structuring their crypto portfolios, Avinash Shekhar explains Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Altcoins? How investors are structuring their crypto portfolios, Avinash Shekhar explains The rise of Crypto Futures in India: Leverage, tax efficiency, and market maturity, Avinash Shekhar of Pi42 explains NEXT STORY
