With a sharp clap, the students run into place.

"Five in a line, five in a line," shouts their instructor, fellow Penn State student James Madara. In a split second, the students are in their space from the top student down to the newest pupil.

Tonight is the twice weekly practice for the Jung Sim Do club, a form of Korean karate that is just one of the more than eight martial arts clubs active on campus. Ranging from Judo, which uses flipping and grappling techniques, to Tae Kwon Do, which focuses on punching and kicking, different variations of the sport are popular, with more than 200 participants on campus.

At the Jung Sim Do practice, the more learned students, or the high belts as Madara refers to them, are sitting on the gym floor in 133 White Building meditating. One man is concentrating so hard he is shaking. In the back of the room, Madara, who has earned a 2nd degree black belt, is working with first-time students. Practice will not be easy and the class knows it. There is not talking or laughing, just pure concentration.

Madara calls the class out of their meditation and suddenly barks "Cha-yo" and the students stand at attention, faces without expression. He tells his pupils to begin a series of air punches and they count along with Madara in Korean. It is a guttural chant as they aim at invisible foes. Madara strolls through the row of students, his black uniform a contrast to the white robes of his students. By the fourth set of punches, many of the newcomers are visibly fatigued.

"You can be as tired as you want," bellows Madara. "But I don't want to see it. I want stone faces, not happy, sad, glad, or mad faces."

For many students participating in a martial arts club at the University, they find their involvement carries over into their everyday life as well. As opposed to other sports, students of the martial arts seem to feel an added integrity to their life brought about by mental conditioning.

For Charles Casey, president of the Tae Kwon Do club, the first thing he does when he gets to the library for a night of studying is meditate.

"It helps your concentration. It helps relieve stress," he said.

Casey became interested in Tae Kwon Do when he was stationed in Korea with the military and when he came to Penn State he formed the club. Casey has never used his skills in a confrontation, but he said his knowledge keeps him away from trouble.

"My senses are better, I've learned to avoid situations where fighting may occur," he said.

Madara began his training in the martial arts when he was 14-years-old. He was small with bad knees so team athletics and running were out of the question for him. His first intention in starting his training was to protect himself from the bigger people at his school but as he continued in his studies, he found his fighting ability secondary.

"There are three areas of mental change that come about from studying the martial arts -- concentration, self-respect, and self-discipline " he said. "As long as these three areas remain balanced, it is positive."

This mental state has helped Madara achieve much both in the gym and out.

"The martial arts doesn't just train people to fight better," he said. "It trains people to be better people."

The martial arts are non-partisan, women are as welcome as men and can advance just as far. Protection is one plus from their training and women are able to overcome a size difference in a confrontation. Debbie Dorisio (senior-chemistry/secondary education), a member of the Jung Sim Do club, said her training helps her feel safe walking alone at night.

"I know that if I was faced with a confrontation I'd at least have a chance," she said.

Marion Krause, president of the Penn State Judo Club, said she started training in Judo at the age of 11 because she did not like the ballet classes she was taking. She traded in her ballet shoes and joined her brother in his training.

"The thing that really carries over to my life is self-control, patience, and self-motivation," she said.

A demonstration in Korean Karate drew in president Donna Spedding who said her involvement brought about a change in her demeanor.

"When you're involved, you feel more confident; you carry yourself different," she said. "You're not afraid to walk alone at night and you're less likely to be a victim."

The Jung Sim Do practice is coming to an end and Madara gives his final command.

"This is your final kick, and I want you to put everything into it. This was the first class for some of you, so I want you to give all you have for the last kick of your first class," he said. There are shouts as the students extend themselves. After New pupil Mondira Kundu (freshman-pre-medicine) heads out the door.

"I feel really good," she said of her first workout. "I'm looking forward to the next one."