Master of arts

James Beasley, known as "Master Beasley" or "Sir" to his Taekwondo students, sat on the sidelines at a recent meeting of the University of Cincinnati Martial Arts Club. He was giving instructions to John Ritter, a second year engineering student who led the class of 11 students in their workout.Ritter has a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo.

"Explain the difference between a back pivot kick and a back side kick," Beasley said.

Ritter bowed and then extended his leg while he turned his body in different positions. Beasley walked to the exercise floor and held Ritter's leg out while he showed the class which muscles were used in each position.

Beasley turned the class over to Ritter again. He sat down and explained that he was still rehabilitating his leg after undergoing surgery in January.

He said his next test, for seventh degree black belt, will be his last.

After watching the practice for several minutes he said, "It burns me up not being on the floor. I'm not used to this."

Beasley, who is 62, began his martial arts training 33 years ago and holds a sixth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Judo.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that has drawn from an ancient fighting form called "Tae Kyon" and more modern Japanese-style Karate. It emphasizes kicking more than other martial arts do.

When Beasley began his practice in 1972, martial arts schools were led mostly by Asian masters who expected a high degree of discipline from their students.

"They were very strict back then," he said. "It was an honor just to be there. If you had a problem with anything, they said 'There's the door.'"

This class was more relaxed. Although the practice was intense, Beasley tempered discipline with affection in his voice as he called out his orders.

The students moved up and down the floor in choreographed movements called "forms" or "poomse." This exercise makes students breathe, Beasley said. It is a memory course; each color of belt has its own form. It is also meant to make students use their bodies to their full potential.

Next the students paired off in a process called "one-step," where they punched and kicked at each other, stopping inches away from making contact with their partners.

"This is for distancing," Beasley said. "We have a person attack close to your face. It's a wake-up call. This causes you to focus."

He turned to watch his students. "Ryan, don't block with your face," he said. "Keep your eyes open."

Two of the students at the practice were visiting from another doyang, or school. Their school, like the one at UC, is one of the 15 Taekwondo locations operated under the leadership of Grandmaster Kyongwon Ahn. Beginning in 1967, Ahn was the original teacher at UC and he still serves as the advisor to the club.

Both visiting students are sons of Master Paul Woodson, who teaches the art at Chase School, which is part of the Cincinnati Public School system, and also at Ahn's flagship school in Blue Ash.

It was Ethan Woodson's 18 birthday. He began Taekwondo when he was four. In February, he placed third at the German Open competition. Woodson is a member of the national team and hopes to compete in the 2008 Olympics.

The students put on headgear and pads, preparing for full contact fighting. Woodson attacked his partner with a flurry of kicks and punches. Beasley called to him to keep his hands closed, reminding him that open hands are penalized by judges.

Only the upper belts are allowed to attack an opponent's face, Beasley said, adding that no one wanted to hurt anyone else at practice. As if to emphasize his point, one of the students tripped over his partner's feet and the partner grabbed him to keep him from falling.

Beasley was concerned that none of his female students were present saying that although at one time there were few female martial arts students, that has changed. "There are women competing who would knock your socks off," he said.

He compared the fighting styles of the two genders: "The men are interested in how hard they can hit. The women are interested in style and form. I have to convince the men to pay more attention to form and tell the women to hit harder."

The organization is trying to get funding from UC to attend a national tournament in North Carolina over the summer. They have submitted a proposal to the Club Sports Office, which makes these money decisions but treasurer Jagan Ramamoorthy, a fourth-year engineering student, said that they have received no response yet.

This weekend, five members will compete in an AAU tournament in Wilder, Ky., at the Town and Country Sports Center. This competition will qualify participants to compete for a spot on the national team. Those on the national team can compete for spots on the Olympic team

Beasley enumerated the advantages of martial arts for students. Experiencing the stress of testing for Taekwondo belts can help prepare students to face exams. Also, an important martial art skill is learning mental focus.

Finally, Beasley cited the recent incidents of robberies and physical attacks on and near campus. "With Taekwondo, you can go out in the street with a little more confidence. We would never send you out with the idea that you could whup someone but you are going to be more aware of things. You are less likely to run into trouble," he said.

The club meets year round at the Boom-Boom room at Dabney Hall every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7-9 p.m. A trial membership of three lessons is free. Quarterly dues are $49.95.