I've never enjoyed fighting. Even in the controlled, relatively harmless environment of the dojo, kumite has never appealed. Furthermore, I've never been much good at. So many people ask me, "Why do you do it?"

It's a perfectly valid question. After all, what is karate if not a way of fighting? Clearly, karate originated as a weaponless means of self defence. Furthermore, let's consider the word 'martial'. What does it mean? Well, one definition is "relating to war or a warrior." Another definition is "relating to military life." So it's pretty clear what the martial arts are all about.

But we must bear in mind that there's more to martial arts than learning to fight. It sounds like a cliché, but I practice karate to nurture inner well-being and for self-improvement. To become a true karate-ka (practitioner of karate) requires dedication, patience and focus. These are useful attributes in all walks of life. Karate also requires a certain amount of respect for discipline, and respect for one another; hence all the bowing. We learn to be calm and respectful in the face of potential danger. Once again, these are attributes easily applied to everyday life. Karate engenders zanshin - awareness - for all things around you.

For me, what makes karate so special is its calming and maturing effect on those who are naturally aggressive. So many times I have trained in clubs which have a regular influx of aggressive newcomers who want nothing more than to learn how to be bullies and thugs. Many of these people don't have the appropriate attitude or mental stamina to stick with it, so they tend to drop out over the first few months. But typically, for those that stay for over a year or so, something truly amazing happens: they change and become different people. They are no longer aggressive and no longer seek to learn how to fight. Instead, they seek to learn how to not fight.

Remember Bruce Lee's line in Enter the Dragon when asked, "What's your style?"

He replies, "You could call it... The art of fighting without fighting."

Sure, that scene always gets a few laughs. But in the end, that's what karate is all about. I'm confident to know that my years of training will better prepare me for dangerous confrontations. But even so, I know I'm not invincible. Most importantly, karate teaches me the true warrior's way, which is to avoid getting into the confrontation in the first place.

In conclusion, karate is as good for the mind and soul as it is for the body. This is why I do it. Others may do it because they enjoy the combat. That's their prerogative. But sometimes they can't understand my reasons for doing it. I'm happy to train for my own reasons; that's my prerogative.