After seeing a picture of a black belt in a book at the age of three 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 Master 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 Master Young H. Kwon. While training he won the World Tang Soo Do
Association Headquarters Design Contest from WTSDA Founder Grand Master Jae C. Shin and later received
the No. 10 Life-Time Membership with the WTSDA.
He began his teaching with Master 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 Master Young K. Kwon and Master 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.
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, Mannaís entered into Olympic Style Tae Kwon Do competition. In 1997, in support of the 12th Annual Mannaís 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.
Over the past twenty five years, Grandmaster Manna has helped guide many outstanding Students, over 450 Black Belts, Grand Champions, Instructors, and Master Instructors. Grandmaster Manna continues to teach, guide and speak proudly of those who have entered the ranks of Master (Ko Dan Jah) 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 MANNAíS 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 studentís 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 Mannaís 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. Grandmasters James Wilson, Andy Ah Po and Darryl Khalid invited the martial arts community to a Grandmaster Entitlement and Rank Certification to honor Grandmaster Manna on July 29, 2006 in San Diego California. In 2006 he became a personal student of Grandmaster Andy Ah Po. Grandmaster Manna states, ìOver 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.î In June 2008 Grandmaster Andy Ah Po presented Grandmaster Manna with 7th Dan certification from the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association.
Grandmaster Manna has produced and directed Learning Seminars for martial arts instructors in business on both the East and West Coasts.
In 2010, Grandmaster Manna/ CEO, partnered with Tony Martinez/ President to form Powerhouse World Promotions and Marnan Enterprises. These companies were formed to support the existing and up and coming world champions of boxing and MMA. Mr Manna recieved a Professional Promotor Lisence by the California State Atheletic Commision to hold the 'War on the Mainland' to be held in Irvine, California on August 14, 2010. A world class MMA Training Clinc will be held at Manna's Martial Arts in San Diego California on August 8, 2010.
TEMAS, Inc. The Educational Martial Arts System, Inc.
Manna's Martial Arts, Inc. San Diego, California
CDT Training Center San Diego, California
AHZAH Board Game Home Page Martial arts game
Manna's Collectable Egg Art Collectable art
Powerhouse World Promotions, LLC
Marman Enterprises., LLC in California