Brian D. Manna

After seeing a picture of a black belt in a book at the age of three, that his dad brought back from the Pacific, it was clear. Mr. Brian Manna has held a passion, fascination and vision of being a martial artist ever since. While attending Junior High and High School he was inspired by Patricia Olekszyk (formerly Patricia Gane), a traditional Shotokan style martial artist. While attending college, Tyler School of Art a part of Temple University, Mr. Brian Manna was recommended and referred to Kwon's Karate in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania by Patricia Olekszyk.
He began his distinguished career in the martial arts in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, training under the instruction of Grandmaster Young K. Kwon at Kwon's Karate, in the U. S. Tang Soo Do (Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bak Do Association).

Mr. Brian Manna moved to California in 1978 and continued his training with Grandmaster Young H. Kwon. While training he won the World Tang Soo Do Association Headquarters Design Contest from WTSDA Founder Grandmaster Jae C. Shin and later received the No. 10 Life-Time Membership with the WTSDA. He began his teaching with Grandmaster Young H. Kwon in San Diego. Mr. Brian Manna was honored to be present and assist in the formation of the United Martial Arts Federation with Grandmaster Young K. Kwon and Grandmaster Young H. Kwon.

To Mr. Brian Manna opening a location was a serious undertaking. Knowing first, was the understanding that once he began teaching in an area he was committed to stay in that area, forming life long relationships with students, families and the community. After researching the community and demographics Mr. Brian Manna began teaching at the Westwood Club Community Center in San Diego, California.

In 1984, with overwhelming support from 100% of the members the doors of the original United Tang Soo Do Karate (UTSDK) located two blocks away, the first studio, were opened. Mr. Manna had the pleasure and opportunity to train in combat applications and weapons concepts with Soke Dai Ralph Black Jr, of the Bunbu Ichi Zendi Kyo Ki, from 1988 to 1990. The Rank of 4th Dan in Tang Soo Do was presented to Master Manna in 1990. On September 8,1994, the new UTSDK, Carmel Mountain Studio now Manna's Martial Arts in Carmel Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California was opened. At 7,000 square feet, MANNA'S is proud to be one the finest studios in the United States. Today Master Manna continues to service the same communities.

For Master Manna's support and dedication to the Martial Arts, he has received numerous awards of recognition. He has held special demonstrations and exhibitions for many communities, sponsored many youth organizations. Developed a martial arts scholarship program for higher education. Directed and produced instructional videos and DVDs through TEMAS for Grandmasters and masters in the arts. Master Manna and members during martial arts training at the Westwood Club were featured in a nationwide book published by Franklin Watts, Inc. a Fist Book Edition(Karate by L.D. Brimner). Master Manna with the support of Mr. Tom Patire, the creator of Know & Go, was the invited Child Safety Expert featured on KMFB News 8, (August 2002) Master Manna has presented Know & Go Child Safety Courses to entire elementary schools, through assemblies on campus of the schools, since 2005.

In the fall of 1997 at the request and encouragement of Grandmaster James Wilson, Manna's entered into Olympic Style Tae Kwon Do competition. In 1997, in support of the 12th Annual Manna's Martial Arts Camp, Century Martial Arts Supply sent Herb Perz, Kim Dodson-Peck and Kevin Padilla to the three day event. With the hard work and commitment of thirty members competing in 1998 and 1999 Grandmaster Manna was appointed CA State Coach of the Year at the 1999 Tae Kwon Do Jr. Olympics. The team had earned twenty-eight California State Championship medals, a National Silver and a National Gold Medal in those two years.

Grandmaster Manna founded and became the Founding Master of The Educational Martial Arts System, Inc. 1990, and titled TEMAS Kwon Jang Nim.

Over the past twenty-six years, Grandmaster Manna has helped guide many outstanding Students, over 450 Black Belts, Grand Champions, Instructors, Master Instructors and studio owners. Grandmaster Manna continues to teach, guide and speak proudly of those who have entered the ranks of Master (Ko Dan Ja and Sabum Nim) through his tutelage: Master Christopher A. Brandt; Master Mark W. Pattison; Master Steven T. Simpson; Master Janet K. Manna and Master Christian R. Hunter.

As a Graduate of the 2005 FBI Citizens Academy and an active member of the San Diego Infragard Chapter Grandmaster Manna and MANNA'S continues to sponsor Community Awareness Events with the support and direction of the San Diego FBI Field Office and San Diego Police. Some of the subjects have been: Predator Awareness, Internet Security, Home Network Security, Domestic Terrorism, Child Safety and Finger Printing, How to be a Good Witness and Insight into the use of Explosive Devices in Middle East Terrorism. Grandmaster Manna believes that growing the awareness of the community will help build a stronger America, exemplifying the proactive good in each one of us.

As an instructor, his commitment and dedication to enhancing each student's personal growth is infallible. Offering many special clinics, camps, leadership development courses and training programs for martial arts students, instructors, community families and corporate retreats. One of his main areas of focus is to reach out to the community and offer them an introduction to the benefits of Martial Arts. In addition to instructing full time at Manna’s he has directed programs in over twenty-five Southern California locations with the aid and assistance of many fine instructors.

He has mentored and shared martial arts learning, ideas, techniques and concepts for more than thirty years with Grandmaster Darryl Khalid and Grandmaster James Wilson. At a seminar sponsored by Grandmaster Khalid he was introduced to Grandmaster Andy Ah Po. May 20, 2006, Grandmaster James Wilson and Grandmaster Darryl Khalid announced at the TEMAS International Dan Test, with more than 170 attending Black Belts and Ko Dan Ja, that from that date on Master Manna would be hereby recognized as Grandmaster Manna, for his continued contribution and development of the martial arts. Grandmaster James Wilson, Grandmaster Andy Ah Po and Grandmaster Darryl Khalid invited the martial arts community to a Grandmaster Entitlement and Rank, 7th Dan, Certification to honor Grandmaster Manna on July 29, 2006 in San Diego California.

He was a personal student of Grandmaster Andy Ah Po for five years. Grandmaster Manna states, “Over the years I have been honored to meet, train and share with many great people whom not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.” In June 2008 Grandmaster Andy Ah Po presented Grandmaster Manna with 7th Dan certification from the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association.

July of 2011 Grandmaster Manna was pleased to be a guest at the 2011 Internationals USA, sponsored by TSDMGK and The Worldwide Tang Soo Do Family. Students and Ko Dan Ja from around the world were in attendance. Grandmaster Manna was both honored and pleased to be able to see and share in the spirit and sportsmanship that was displayed. He commends the running and organization of the championship by Grandmaster Charles Ferraro.

Grandmaster Manna continues to instill in his Students, Instructors, Masters and himself work ethic and good values. In direct response to this effort Grandmaster Manna has been certified Pal Dan - 8th Degree Black Belt by the Chang Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do, August 25, 2011. On September 1, 2011, The Board of Trustees and upon recognition of the Faculty of the School of Defense Tactics and Martial Sciences presented Grandmaster Manna the title of Diplomate of the American College of Defense Tactics.

October of 2011 a public presentaion was made from Dr. Ralph D. Black Jr., 3rd Generation San Dai Soke of the Bunbu Ichi Zendo Budo/Bugei Remmei and by unanimous acceptance of the Board of Soke bestow the Black Family designation of Professor on Brian Manna Pal Dan - 8th degree Black Belt, certification was made August 25, 2011. Grandmaster Manna has maintained a relationship with Dr. Ric Black since their first meeting in 1988. After a clinic Grandmaster Manna stated, "It continues to be exciting and fun to see that Dr. Ric Black has maintained his educational, technical and relaxed manor of sharing information for the more than twenty years."

Grandmaster Manna has produced and directed Learning Seminars for martial arts instructors in business on both the East and West Coasts. Grandmaster Manna stated, “The martial arts has been very kind to my family and I.” Grandmaster Manna is open to aide and assist martial artist school owners, club instructors and those interested in building all aspects of their martial arts programs and studio success.