Long before I studied karate, I studied karate.

I read books on the subject, involved myself in an appreciation of Eastern philosophy and living practices, and sensed, on a deep level, that my journey and the martial artists, are one.

And long after Ive studied karate, in a formal dojo, I intend to study karate by applying its principles to my life.

The key to karate, as I see it, is your frame of mind.

Attaining a Black Belt after eight years of arduous practice and formal instruction might be your idea of what it takes to be a martial artist. I went through this phase of study, and it was very valuable.

But it is just a phase.

Gichin Funakoshi, the Father of Karate, left us with 20 principles for understanding this art. One of them says: Karate is a lifelong pursuit.

By this, I dont believe he meant to say: Use it or lose it! as some martial arts bureaucrats would like it to mean. In other words, keep doing your strikes, kicks, parries, techniques and kumite, and above all, pay your dojo dues, and youll retain your martial arts-ness.

I believe Funakoshi was saying every day gives us a multitude of ways in which to practice.

Walking into an exercise room for the first time yesterday, selecting some equipment to use, and not getting in the faces of the ardent gym rats, was a martial arts test for me.

Could I cast no shadow? Could I politely do my workout and not really be noticed?

Im not competing, even for the attention of that fitness babe that just walked in. Im occupying just the right amount of space, without trying to be bigger.

If you could learn to be a karateka without making a single strike or block, without sustaining a bruise or breaking a bone, yours or someone elses, Id say more power to you.

The ultimate goal of the martial arts isnt about conquering others; its about conquering yourself.

And your entire life is your classroom when it comes to mastering this topic!