Martial Arts have never been regarded as a mainstream activity in the West.  It is one of the fundamental contradictions that such a niche pastime is practised across every continent by millions of people on a regular basis.  Martial arts training for the masses has come in and out of fashion during recent times, often dependent more on what films are being shown in the cinema than any one particular discipline or master.  Society has become very fast moving with both an over reliance on technology and an unhealthy addiction to instant results.  People want to see rewards quickly for any time or effort on their part.  Do we therefore change the way we approach Martial Arts training?  Is it something that should now be viewed as a short term activity where the success lies solely in results gained within the quickest time frame possible?  Or now see it purely as physical training as we would if were going to the gym, playing football or swimming?  I think that in truth, one of the beautiful things about training in Martial Arts is that even though the majority of people, when they start, approach it with the lightest of touches ie desiring a specific outcome such as fitness, confidence etc, each individual can gain so much more should they wish it.  Like most things in life, the old adage 'the more you give (or the harder you work), the more you get in return' is an obvious truth.  For some students, it will always remain simply something they do for fitness and fun.  For others, it will grow and become something much more, a passion, a way of life and something that potentially gives their whole being definition and direction.  It is these potential outcomes of martial arts training that set them aside from just being any sport.  For me, Martial Arts are just as relevant today as they have ever been (if not more so).  It is not just about physical training, health benefits and sporting achievements, they are but bonuses accrued on the journey trying to achieve what should be every Martial Artist's lifelong primary aim - to better oneself as a human being.