About Bryan
AS A MARTIAL ARTIST, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING:
- Apprentice Instructor in the Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan Inosanto
- Apprentice Instructor in Jeet Kune Do under Guro Dan Inosanto
- Apprentice Instructor in Thai Boxing under Ajarn Chai Sirisute
- Apprentice Instructor in Wing Chun Gung Fu under Sifu Francis Fong
- Full Dog Brother: Nickname “Guide Dog” – just under 50 Real Contact Stick Fights
- Lakan Guro (apprentice teacher) in Dog Brothers Martial Arts under Guro Marc Denny
- Yellow Glove in Savate under Professor Nic Saignac
- Apprentice Instructor in mixed grappling under Sensei Roy Harris
- Apprentice Instructor in Kali/JKD under Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson, Guro Inosanto’s oldest, active full instructor
- Level Two Practitioner of the Japanese healing art of Reiki - Through the Reiki Center of Los Angeles
- Instructor’s belt (red) in Shaolin Kempo
- Red belt (seventh level) in Tae Kwon Do
PROFESSIONALLY, I HAVE:
- Taught public school in southern California for the past eight years
- Earned a professional, clear teaching credential from the state of California
- Earned a Master’s of Arts in Education Degree from the California State University System
- Completed a Master’s Thesis on the use of martial arts philosophy to make new classroom teachers more functional
- Co-authored a case study on an elementary school in Pomona, California for the University of La Verne
- Earned my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from the University of La Verne, one of California’s oldest private colleges.
HERE’S WHAT SOME OF MY STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE STOOPS MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY:
“Guro Bryan Stoops’ martial arts lineage, credentials, and fighting experience are all very impressive on their own. But since I’ve started training with Guro Bryan, I’ve seen that his teaching style and methods are what also set him apart from other instructors.
Guro Bryan is able to seamlessly blend eight different martial arts into one cohesive curriculum. Whether it be with blades or blunt impact weapons, empty-handed striking, or grappling on the ground, I’ve been able to learn and adapt from Guro Bryan’s vast experience to become a better martial artist.”
Marvin Gapultos – Food Critic
“The Academy has many wonderful qualities, but in my opinion, the best one is the positive, encouraging and respectful atmosphere that is created here. It fosters the perfect environment for learning and growth so that all students can meet their full potential. Guro Bryan does an excellent job of encouraging this learning environment by promoting patience, encouragement and persistence in an enthusiastic manner.”
Janette Vargas – Education Professional and Master’s Degree Candidate.
“I particularly like that the Academy not only teaches the physical aspects of marital arts but also the historical background that allows students to fully appreciate the arts. Guro Bryan welcomes questions and incorporates explanations and background of the arts into each of his classes.”
Jose Perez – Account Executive for Printing Compnay
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MY INSTRUCTORS AND THE ARTS TAUGHT AT THE STOOPS MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY? SEE BELOW:
Guro Dan Inosanto
Guro Inosanto is widely considered one of the best martial arts instructors in the world. Guro Inosanto was charged with carrying on the arts and philosophy of Bruce Lee. Guro Inosanto is the father of the Filipino Martial Arts on the West Coast. Guro Inosanto is responsible for the popularity of many martial art systems, and many famous instructors. I have never met a more humble, kind, yet knowledgeable individual in my entire life. Sorry for the fanboy-itis, but one of my best days as martial artist was a few years ago when I went home and told my wife that Guro Dan Inosanto knew my name!
Arts:
Filipino Martial Arts: Guro Inosanto developed a system consisting of twelve areas with his instructor, Master John Lacoste. While the Filipino arts are mainly known for weapons, there is a rich empty-handed component as well. The Filipino Arts are so rich that one could easily study nothing else and never see everything in the system!
Jeet Kune Do: Bruce Lee’s potent mix of straightforward techniques that will make the practitioner functional at all ranges of combat.
Maphilindo Silat: Guro Inosanto created this blend of techniques and concepts to honor his many instructors in the south-east Asian martial arts.
Click here to visit Guro Inosanto’s Webpage.
Sifu Francis Fong
Sifu Francis Fong teaches out of his academy, located in Norcross, Georgia, about thirty-five minutes north of Atlanta. Sifu Fong also is accessible through seminars all over the world. Sifu Fong uses his art of Wing Chun, and his incredible understanding of energy to do amazing things. If you have the chance to train with Sifu Fong, you should take it.
Arts:
Wing Chun Kung Fu: A Chinese system of interception, and energy interpretation. Wing Chun is mostly known for “trapping”, or the immobilization of an opponents arms which lasts just long enough to strike. Wing Chun has three empty hand forms, two weapons forms, and the wooden dummy, or mook jong form.
Click Here to visit Sifu Fong’s Website
Ajarn ”Chai” Sirisute
Ajarn ”Chai” Siristue is America’s first Thai Boxing instructor. Ajarn brought Thai Boxing to the US in 1968, and has been busy spreading the art throughout the country and the world ever since.
Ajarn founded the Thai Boxing Association, which is America’s oldest Muay Thai organization.
Arts:
Muay Thai/Thai Boxing: Thai Boxing has exploded in popularity due to its effectiveness in stand-up combat. Using kicks, boxing, elbows, and knees, the practitioner not only develops powerful self-defense techniques, but also increased cardiovascular endurance.
NOTE: In addition to the Thai Boxing requirements on every Phase test, students may earn their Level One and Level Two certifications under Khun Kru Bryan Stoops. Level III (instructor) testing must be done at an event at which Ajarn Chai is present, but Khun Kru Bryan will help you prepare for your exam. Students must join the Thai Boxing Association before testing for rank in Muay Thai.
Chick Here to visit the TBA on the Web.
Professor Roy Harris
Based in San Diego, Professor Roy Harris is one of America’s first Brazilian Jui-Jitsu black belts. Currently, Professor Harris is a fourth degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, amongst a number of other prestigious arts and martial arts organizations.
Arts:
Mixed Grappling: Professor Harris has put together a grappling system representing concepts from Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Russian Sambo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, and Japanese Shooto.
Visit Professor Harris on the Web by clicking here.
Guro Marc “Craft Dog” Denny
Guro Marc “Craft Dog” Denny (seen here addressing the fighters before a Gathering of the Pack) is co-founder of Dog Brothers Martial Arts.
Arts:
Dog Brothers Martial Arts: An offshoot of the Inosanto lineage (as most things are), the Dog Brothers gather together twice a year to test the Filipino Martial Arts in the most realistic manner possible. Fighting with rattan sticks, and a minimum of protective equipment, the Dog Brothers have taken on a reputation of being fairly extreme. Guro Denny has spent the last few decades expanding the Dog Brothers curriculum.
Note: Participation in Bryan’s Friday Dog Brothers class does not require participants to fight. If you would someday like to fight at a Gathering of the Pack, Guro Bryan Stoops can prepare you for that. Guro Bryan is both a full Dog Brother (nickname Guide Dog) and a lakan Guro (apprentice teacher) in the Dog Brother curriculum. If you only wish to learn the curriculum as a practitioner, as most will, that’s fine. Do not skip Dog Brothers class because you beliveve you will be required to fight.
Visit Guro Marc and the Dog Brothers by clicking here.
Professor Nic Saignac
Professor Nic Saignac is a former world champion of Savate. Professor Nic is the rare combination of a fighter who is also and excellent teacher. He is widely considered one of America’s leaders in Savate instruction.
Arts:
Savate: Savate is French kickboxing. Savate practitioners focus on graceful, snapping kicks that use the toe of the shoe for maximum impact. Savate is an effective form of self-defense and fitness.
Visit the California Savate Association by clicking here.
Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson
Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson is a full instructor under Guro Inosanto. Sifu Bud founded the Kali Academy of Martial Arts in Whittier, California.
Sifu Bud was my first Jeet Kune Do/Kali instructor, and I enjoyed developing my skills with him and his talented group of instructors.
Arts:
Kali/Jun Fan: Sifu Bud teaches a blend of arts much in the same way that I do. Many of my choices for what to include in my curriculum are based on the testing requirements at the Kali Academy.
Visit Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson by clicking here.
BELOW ARE MORE USEFUL MARTIAL ARTS LINKS:
Sifu Tim Tackett and the JKD Wednesday Night Group
Sifu/Guro/Khun Kru Michele Thompson’s East Coast Academy of Martial Arts in NJ
John Spezzano’s Pacific Coast Martial Arts
