In an interview with ETMarkets, Ambani said, “Yoga is an integral part of my well-being routine. I practice yoga with a Guru, thrice a week. It includes 30 minutes of pranayama, followed by holding different Asana positions or reps like Surya Namaskar, every alternate session.” Edited excerpts:
Thank you for being part of the segment. With decades of experience in capital markets, how do you keep yourself mentally fit to handle the market pressure?
In my industry, the burnout rate is high. I need to manage the complexities of two key aspects on a day-to-day basis, one the volatile nature of stocks, and two, the intricacies of running the business.
To lock horns with volatility, my mantra is to invest money that I don’t need for several years. Further, I only invest in companies that I have thoroughly researched and which are available at a certain margin of safety.
If you know what you own, and own what you know, you don’t feel mentally pressured, even if the stock corrects heavily midway. You accept it as the outcome of the very nature of the market.
For the business side of things, I always plan each day, the night before. This way I am clear about what needs to be accomplished on a particular day.
One of the biggest frustrations in corporate life is not being in control of time and hence the perennial need to firefight. I stay away from multitasking as much as possible.
It’s essential to have a good team, know what and whom to delegate, and what to do yourself. Thus, all you need to do is to stay focused on the process.To stay mentally fit, I start my day at 6.00 am, which helps me be at my productive best and cut the noise around. This is when I get loads of time to read and think.
I usually sleep for a span of 6-7 hours which is good enough rest, as I have a sound sleep. Any sleep catch-up, which I try to keep to the minimum, I do on weekend afternoons.
I watch very little TV. I have no games installed on my phone. Spending time with family and friends is the biggest stress buster. Like I plan work during weekdays, it’s ditto for planning leisure activities for weekends.
Recently, I took my kids for a swim, and a ferry to Mandwa before that. I spend a fair bit of time observing the sea and the sunset from my window couch, or occasionally the mountain ranges from my holiday home.
Whenever possible, I sit under the morning sun. I love to spend quality time travelling. All these passionate pursuits help me rejuvenate and focus on business with renewed vigour.
Mind Over Money: Combination of yoga, meditation and mantras support your cognitive processes, says Amar Ambani
“Just like you stretch your spine backward to unwind after a forward bend pose, a combination of yoga, meditation, and mantras support your cognitive processes,” Amar Ambani, Group President, Head of Institutional Equities, YES Securities, said.
You also do Yoga and Pranayama. Take us through your daily routine.
Yoga is an integral part of my well-being. I practice yoga with a Guru, thrice a week. It includes 30 minutes of pranayama, followed by holding different Asana positions or reps like Surya Namaskar, every alternate session.
Every session ends with Bhramari pranayama, which is particularly designed for efficient brain functioning. Yoga is a holistic way of life that binds the mind, the soul and our body in harmonic unison.
On other days, I follow the Yoga routine with brisk walking, crunches, squats, pull-ups or push-ups, or again Surya Namaskar reps, as the mood dictates.
On a daily basis, when back from work, I shun the elevator well before my home floor and climb the rest of the six to eight stairways. It’s early days yet, but I have started a bit of meditation as well.
We also heard that you try to do a technology/mobile detox. How does that help you?
Putting the mobile away helps in more ways than one. Your eyes get the much-needed rest and you get better quality sleep. Even if for only a short while, you consciously stay away from radioactivity glued to your body.
This is the time for quiet contemplation or spending quality family time. Keeping the phone away helps you become proactive in life; with a phone in your hand or a laptop in front, you tend to get reactive – checking the mail every now and then, waiting for the phone to ring, or constantly checking WhatsApp messages to sustain the information overload thrown at you.
Staying away from the screen is a great mental and emotional detox such that when you’re back to work, your focus and productivity improve by leaps and bounds.
When I am working on a task, like responding to you at the moment, keeping the phone away avoids distractions and getting into the reactive loop.
In a lighter vein, I must admit, I am joked about in my circle for being in flight mode, even when I am in town. But come to think of it, even phones need a recharge, shouldn’t we too?
Tell us about your experience of meditation. You also chant mantras; is there any specific routine which helps you stay calm and focused?
I wish I had begun my tryst with meditation early on in life. Meditate for just three minutes daily and reap the fruits: it takes away stress, clears the mind, energises the body, and helps make mental notes and plans ahead. It’s still a work in progress for me but feels wonderful nevertheless.
Reciting mantras is another powerful tool. Whether you believe in god or are an atheist, mantras are for everyone. It has been established that there is a vibration reverberating across the cosmos.
Energy in every form, in the human body or in an atom, is in circular motion. Our mantras are a way to energise our system and create a harmonious balance with the universe. They will calm the mind and uplift your spiritual journey. I mostly do it on weekends and on auspicious days.
True knowledge comes from withdrawing into the deepest recesses of our minds and spending time with ourselves in freewheeling contemplation.
Whether Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism or Lord Mahavira of the Tirthankara tradition, all have shown the way to enlightenment through silent contemplation in solitude (Ekaant).
Are there any other interesting habits worth mentioning? What’s on your to-do list next?
My wife and I try to inculcate one good habit every month, for a better life. We’ve switched to organic plant oils from chemical deodorants, shifted to toxin-free-biodegradable detergents, and drinking copper-infused water from an earthen pot.
When it comes to food, we make healthier choices of rotis (switching between jowar, bajri, nachni) and balance out carbs, protein, fats and fibre intake. I realised that the evening time is when I am the hungriest and that is the time you tend to binge.
So we’ve created a healthy snacks corner, with handy choices like dates, peanuts, dal khakara, chana, homemade roasted snacks, dry fruits, seeds, popcorn, fox nuts, and so on. Healthier alternatives and small but sustainable changes are the way to go. This way, you don’t regret your occasional indulgences.
We’re constantly trying to improve our dinner timings too – we presently have it between 7.45 pm to 8.30 pm.
I have a lot on my to-do list – like going for a Vipassana program, practising Maun Vrat (vow of silence) for a day, and many interesting holiday destinations and activities, among others.
Why is being mentally fit important, especially for someone who is actively involved in capital markets?
Just like a runner needs to be physically fit, and a cricketer needs to practice his skill on the nets, mindful work necessitates building mental capacity.
Just like you stretch your spine backwards to unwind after a forward bend pose, a combination of yoga, meditation, and mantras support your cognitive processes.
Your mental, physical, emotional health and spiritual well-being are all interlinked. While lifting weights in the gym helps build muscle, the holistic routine of yoga bestows strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance. Physical and psychological fitness go hand in hand.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)