Dhalsim is a wise and powerful mystic, who has mastered the art of Yoga and can also manipulate fire with his breath. Dhalsim is generally a pacifist, and while he fought in a tournament to raise money for his village, he will normally only fight to protect those around him.
In the movie and the animated series, he used to be a scientist for M. Bison, but regretted doing so and now wants nothing to do with technology.