Good. I have done yoga, too. However, if you had ever done Shotokan Karate or a discipline like it (Kung Fu is related), I doubt you wouldn't find it as enabling and relaxing as yoga - In fact, probably even a lot more. Either way I can't find as many useful things in yoga that can be so fundamentally applied to trading behavior, such as critical application of discipline, judgment, respect for your opponents and the discovery of yourself and your 'opponents'. As for meditation, that is a substantial part of Karate training anyway. Spritual development is the #1 focus for any practitioner. There are a lot of people out there thinking that Karate is a violent sport or something like that - That is far from the truth. It's an image that has been perpetuated by the "evil guys" in the Bruce Lee movies, trying to kill him everywhere. It has nothing to do with reality. The reality is that Karate focuses on the perfection of character and the restraint from violent behavior (this is the 5th of the 5 Dojo Kun rules). Karate is about having a compassionate and objective (non-emotional) attitude towards those you encounter in competitive situations. In the instance of a fight, all focus remains on maintaining complete peace of mind, avoiding all the dangerous movements of the opponent, observing his flow, spotting an incongruity/gap in his flow, then to strike and exploit that gap with one or two strikes/throws in an effort to effectively and peacefully disable a dangerous opponent, thus avoiding possible injury to both the opponent and yourself. It is the most perfect example of engaging in combat with peaceful intent. Does any of the things in the latter paragraph sound familiar to you? Perhaps we differ here, but for me the markets are just like that; Stay objective, observe and move with the flow, avoid dangerous moves, spot an incongruity and strike in the right moment. And let's face it, while trading seems like a peaceful endeavour to an innocent bystander, it is certainly very competitive, particularly in the futures markets, where you can only win by "disabling" others, and particularly in scalping, which is extremely competitive and efficient. That's the tough truth of it. On the other hand, it's just Darwinism. They chose to participate. You chose to challenge them. If you don't agree on this perspective on the markets, then I would greatly appreciate you detailing your own points of view, since any new viewpoints that could expand old points of view will be welcome. Since you strayed to the topic of yoga, I would also appreciate you detailing what exactly in yoga you find beneficial in application to actively trading the markets! Warmest Regards, Scientist
I used to practice ju-jitsu but my body is now much older and I still run 20 miles a wekk - but much slower. That's my competitive urges seen to. Yoga is all about control of yourself, both bodily and mentally: seeing yourself as a rounded person and being at peace with yourself as an individual. When I trade I need to be alert but also clear, not emotional and controlling hope and greed - and fear - the enemies of all traders. I find yoga helps that process greatly. If I was 30 years younger - but I'm not: I'm 56 and although I still weigh the same as I did at 22 mM body no longer repairs itself as it once did. With age comes slowing reactions but also maturity and experience : yoga suits that blend perfectly. If I try to run as aggressively as I did in the past (I ran competitive half marathons and up to 20 miles) my body responds to a point and then I suffer from calf and hamstring injuries (Omega 3 fishoils help). So it's a case with age knowing your physical limitations.. The mental reflexes appear no slower and yoga helps with the body's ageing processes... (I still feel around 30 despite all that)
If someone is interested in reading about a martial arts approach to trading (without the physical training) here is a very good book: "The way of the warrior trader" by Dr. Richard McCall http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...762?v=glance&s=books&n=507846#product-details
i don't think the good behaviour towards the market is fighting it .. because your ego will urge you to go against it whereas you should follow it.
It is not about fighting (trading) techniques, but rather about the mindset to survive in battle (trading).
Ich schätze das entspricht dem "Perlen vor die Säue" oder "Dazu was zu sagen wäre wie ein Stich ins tote Schwein"
OMFG, more people speaking Daxish! Ja richtig, "Perlen vor die Saeue"... In Amerika learnt ja kaum einer Lateinisch, es ist 'ne echte geheimsprache... That "Way of the Warrior Trader" book looks really cool - It's one of the few I've never read - I've heard it's just a rip-off remake of "Sun Tzu's Art of War", which I deem excellent and a must-read myself - Do you find this to be true, or does that book have any intrinsic value to itself? Cheers!