New Classes starting soon!

There will be new Group classes available.

Evening Classes held Mon/Thurs from 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Class sizes are limited to 6 students maximum for best learning experience.

Contact Michael Banaag for to enroll: structuralselfdefense@gmail.com

2-Day New York City Seminar @ Garcia Gung-Fu Institute

I will be teaching a Seminar at Sifu Richard Garcia's school in New York City on February 5th & 6th

Here's the details:

For 2 days only, Saturday/Sunday from 10am-4pm each day (with an hour lunch break)

Michael Banaag, representing James DeMile (an original student of Bruce Lee), will be at the Garcia Gung-Fu institute sharing James DeMile's interpretation of the concepts, principles, & techniques he learned from Bruce Lee in the late 50's & early 60's in Seattle.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn:

- Dynamic Closing the Gap techniques
- The Powerline Punch
- Structured Sources of Power
- Structural Principles
- Adaptive Footwork
- Trapping
- Basic Closed Position Sticky Sparring

Cost for the entire event is only $75.00
(No videotaping allowed)

Contact structuralselfdefense@gmail.com to register!

Bring Headgear and goggles if possible

Canada Seminar a Success!!!

This past weekends December 18th seminar at the New Era Athletics Inc., K-1/Muay Thai facility in Richmond, British Columbia was a huge success!!!

Participants showed great open mindedness to the information I shared with them, especially regarding the Powerline Striking principles and nuances. As each component was being introduce, with a continuous emphasis on ease in effort, smiles and raised eyebrows in amazement would appear on all the participants faces. Two particular areas - the "Bridge" and the non-telegraphicness of the Powerline Strike, really caught everyones interest; as the small women were able to move the larger men as they walked them from one end of the facility to another all while the larger men were REALLY trying to resist and push back; and the motion of the Powerline strike caused a noticeable lag in reaction time by those comparing its motion to regular boxing & common punches.

Closing the Gap techniques gave everyone an idea of how to apply the Powerline strike in a real confrontation, as well as acted as a teaser to the possibility of trapping if the Powerline strike ran into an obstruction, or resistance.

It was great to see participants eager to try and really get the reference points down so that they could hopefully leave with a budding development in skill. And I really enjoyed the friendliness and comraderie shared by all.

Special Thanks goes out to Randy Mangalindan & Kru Judd Skinner who coordinated the event and gave me this opportunity to share our information with our neighbors up North. Randy really pulled through in getting this to all come together and continue the Ohana spirit of those whom I've trained with at the old Shoreline Club. And Kru Skinner was/is such a gracious and friendly host, who's a class act and great example of a leader for those looking to train in any form of the Martial Arts. It was also nice to experience how open minded and humble he is knowing he's met and trained with many Mixed Martial Art "Greats", like Bas Rutten, George St. Pierre, and Michael MacDonald (whom he's coached!).

Hopefully the event will also garner some interest in the Vancouver, B.C. area for those looking to learn what it is that we do under the DeMile lineage of self-defense training.

Thanks again to everyone who came and participated! It was a both an pleasure, and an Honor!

P.S. - Another special thanks goes out to my close friend, Bao Tran for providing transportation to and from the event.

Upcoming Seminar

On December 18th from 10am to 3pm, with a 1-hour break, Sifu Michael will be teaching a seminar at New Era Athletics Inc. in the Vancouver, B.C. area, coordinated & hosted by Randy Mangalindan & Kru Judd Skinner.

Sifu Michael will be covering Powerline Striking, Structured Sources of Power, and Closing the Gap Techiques.

Don't miss out this opportunity to experience the Structural Principles handed down to Sifu Michael from Sijo James DeMile & Sigung/Coach Ron Ogi.

Space is limited to 16 maximum participants

$40 for those who Pre-register before December 18th
$50 those who register at the door on the day of the event

Contact us at structuralselfdefense@gmail.com to enroll

Location:
New Era Athletics, Inc.
11871 HorseShoe Way
Suite 2109
Steveston/Richmond BC



Contact us to register for the seminar at structuralselfdefense@gmail.com

What I've learned from my teachers, and my training

Not one thing is more important than another if it's part of the whole of who you are...

...the same goes for the following. They are not in any particular order, or order of importance.

- Breathing is essential. You don't breath, you die. If you're dead, you're not growing, evolving, or becoming better because you're not living. So Breath to live, & breath to grow

- Breathing connects the mind and body to work as one, so that the body can do what the mind intends...whatever you put your mind to within your abilities, you can do, & achieve.

- "Work with what you got, not with what you wish you had!" - Sijo DeMile

- Consciously breathing allows you to relax more, thus allowing you to be more aware of what's going on with you, and the world around you, by connecting your mind's focus to you, and thus inabling you to focus around you; increasing your awareness.

- When I was a kid, whatever followed "Once upon a time..." either grabbed my attention or didn't. The way you set-up, the way you start, sets the tone for everything else that follows, and how it unfolds. Before you act, make sure you're happy with the results that will logically follow how you start.

- Focus can make everything come into alignment so that the effort you put out doesn't have to be difficult or dramatic; making it all come together almost effortlessly.

- It doesn't matter what you know, or what you can do. If you don't believe in YOU, then it is all YOU-sless.

- Lingering on things too long makes you stuck in time, unevolving, incapable of adapting; Frozen. It's easier to hit, or be hit, if the target or you is "frozen". Keep moving

- Maintaining the core of who you are, your structure, doesn't mean you can't be adaptive, or learn to go with the flow. So long as you don't sacrifice the core of who you are, or "structure", you won't lose yourself when you go with the flow.

- For every situation, there's always more than one way to respond, in fact there's always at least 2 ways. So before you settle for one way to react, don't settle because it's the first thing you came up with and therefore you're easily comfortable with it; you may find a more productive, efficient, or practical alternative that isn't something you're comfortable with, but well worth the effort to make that reaction a habit. Don't forget, to explore all options, and really give each option a shot at being experienced

- Sometimes to improve your chances of getting the results you want, you can't wait for things to come to you, you gotta throw yourself out there.

- If they give, you accept. If they take, you deliver.

- "Energy is Universal". - Ron Ogi

- Don't limit yourself, use all of you.

- Meeting strength & aggressive attitude with equal energy is foolish. Compliment that energy, or attitude by redirecting, or moving out of it's way.

- Listen to your gut, your instincts. If it has to do with your safety, you are most likely right.

- Just because it feels like it's strong because you feel yourself using all of your effort, doesn't mean you'll get the maximum results. Sometimes less is more, creating maximum results, with minimal effort.

- The more attention I've given, the more rewards I've received in return.

-Every house has a foundation. That foundation allows for a framework. A framework that can be arranged in numerous possible arrangements and will support walls, windows, doors, and a roof in just as many ways. Principles are the foundation that gives you the freedom for creativity, and individuality. Before one can be creative, ample amount of time must be spent on creating the foundation. Don't use a foundation for an outhouse to build your mansion.

- Without goals, you won't have direction to focus your efforts. The Journey is important, but so is keeping in mind your goal, where you're going; otherwise you're just enjoying walking in place and facing different directions.

- Dabbling in many things is fun, it's living life. But at least be close to a master of one, rather than the proverbial Jack.

- Discrimination is limiting, why should the weak, unathletic, and elderly be discriminated against when it comes to self-defense? Aren't they the ones who need it the most?! Self-defense should be unlimiting

- Patience is important. The body must be ready before it can be taught more. The Mind must be "mature" enough to be able to see the big picture.

- By focusing on the center, the core of it all, you will not be distracted with what's on the outside, which can be a facade. In actuality you can see the beginning and the cause for what makes up the actions that eventually lead to that facade, and deal with it appropriately.

- You can be a master of yourself. Don't let any negative suggestions, especially from yourself, tell you otherwise.

- The loud ones who speak as if they know, don't really know. And the quiet ones who only speak when necessary, or asked, do know

- We have been raised by culture and media to think life has to be difficult. If you're going to work towards something, work towards making things refined, efficient, and gradually easier, not exponentially harder.

- What good is what you do now, if it only works for now. In a moment, Now will become then.

- What matters most, is how you effect others. No one cares about what awards you've won, what accomplishments and failures you've accumulated over the years. At their death beds, people don't think about sports champions, famous people, or how much stuff you've aquired; they think about their loved ones and those that have personally made a positive effect on them.

- Legacy, is how you interact, not a hand me down of family heirlooms or certificates.

To Sijo James DeMile, Irene DeMile, Ron Ogi, Lonnie Williams, my family and all those i've interacted with classmate/student/friends...Thank you for what you've taught me; you are all my teachers.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Fall Quarter

We are now accepting new students for the Fall Quarter in both the Basic Self-defense Program, and Premier Training Program. Space is limited, so Contact us now to set-up an appointment, and enroll. For more information on these programs visit the "Classes" page

You can reach Sifu Michael at

structuralselfdefense@gmail.com

or by phone at

(206) 979-7411

Sifu Michael visit Sibok Rocco & The Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do Gung-fu

On July 1st, Sifu Michael had an opportunity to visit Sibok Rocco, Liz, and the rest of the Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do Gung-Fu in Livonia, MI near Detroit.

"I had a really great time! Sibok, Liz, (Instructor-in-Training) Jeff Maletz & his daughter Haley, and David Ambrose welcomed me in my afternoon arrival to a great chinese restaurant that they frequent. I got a chance to really get to know the Ambrose family and the Maletz family before classes started later on that evening.

They are really welcoming and great people! I was very impressed to hear of David's work in getting into stuntwork for film, and hearing that Jeff has started taking up Barefoot running; something I apparently got him curious in since I've been doing it since April of 09 (and it was cool to hear that one of the students that I unfortunately didn't get to meet, also wears Vibram Five Fingers for training...I wore my Brown/Walnut Classics for this visit).

And it was great to get to know both Sibok Roc and Liz in areas other than just the martial arts and the business of the industry.

Later on I got to meet a student of theirs who though he said it was an honor to meet me...I really think it was more of an honor to meet him! His name is Dom (I can't remember his last name). To me he is an inspiration because he is someone I hope to be like in the future. At soon to be 80 years old he is actively training in WCD, salsa dances, and does plenty of other activities and carries himself with a sense of youth that would make one really question of he's going to be 80! Just a great guy, and proof that age has nothing to do with ones ability to do self-defense. Too many times I hear people tell me 'I'm too old to train in any type of self-defense or martial arts', but LOOK at Dom...he's proving that that's not true...You're never too old, or too young!

I also had an opportunity to watch Sibok Roc's advanced kids class and see some really focused young individuals training well. Following that I got to train and touch hands with Sibok's advanced class and meet one of the two first Women Black Belt of Wing Chun Do, Donna Smith.

I also got to meet her husband, and Instructor-in-Training/Black Belt, Paul Smith. Both really great people who have the wonderful joy of knowing they're whole family is better prepared than most for self-defense because their kids were all in the advanced class that I watched earlier, also ranking in Jr. Black Belt, and Jr. Brown Belts!
I also have to mention that it was great to meet all the students I've already met through Facebook and train and touch hands with them and give any advice I could to help them with whatever they wanted me to help them with. It was both a pleasure and an honor.

Hopefully I'll be able to make more trips out there, and hopefully longer ones in the future! The Ambrose Academy is lead by the great leadership of both Sibok Rocco & Liz Ambrose, and it shows in the fabulous community that they have there! That energy alone is cause enough for them being deserving of the award in the past and hopefully in the future of "Nickelodeon's Parents Pick Award for Best family martial arts school in the Detroit, MI area."

Thanks for having me, and welcoming me Ambrose Academy!"

- Sifu Michael

Sibok Rocco had this to say about Sifu Michael's visit:

"Michael, your generosity as an instructor and secondary and willingness to share your knowledge excited and inspired my students. I was watching a mature instructor, no fear, no ego, ocmpletely open, willing to share and grow. I look forward to your next visit. WCD is in good hands on the West Coast.

Your visit inspired so many people. Imagine how my students felt when they touched hands with such a skillfull and insightful WCD Instructor AND he actually lives 2,000 miles away. It was like finding a long lost brother. They loved you. You represent and have showed them the next level of Wing Chun Do in which they now aspire to achive. Thank You."

Instructor Sifu Banaag footage

Warm-ups



Semi-applied Scenario training

Regarding the Instructor

Michael Banaag (pictured on the right in red with James DeMile), has been a direct student of James DeMile since the age of 13. DeMile is an original student of Bruce Lee as well as the founder of DeMile Defensive Tactics & Wing Chun Do Gung-Fu.

Mr. Banaag is the youngest student that Sijo (founder) DeMile has personally awarded the rank of Black Belt to in his adult program at the age of 17, and at the age of 19 became the youngest student personally certified by Sijo DeMile to become an instructor, receiving the title of "Sifu".

With over a decade of teaching experience Sifu Banaag has assisted both Sijo DeMile and Sigung(senior instructor)/Coach Ronald Ogi, one of DeMile's original students & 6th degree Black Belt in Small Circle Jujitsu, in seminars & training camps throughout the country. Sifu Banaag has also assisted in training and preparing the next generation of instructors of both Wing Chun Do Gung-Fu and DeMile Defensive Tactics. He continues to train and evolve his understanding and skill through interaction with both Sijo DeMile and Sigung/Coach Ronald Ogi.

He has appeared with Sijo DeMile in the internationally published Black Belt Magazine, as well as in DeMile's book Bruce Lee's 1-3 inch Power Punch. He is also a certified Basics Level instructor in Special Forces Combatives.

Ron Ogi, James DeMile, & Michael Banaag

"I have been teaching martial arts for over 45 years and I can say without reservation that Sifu Michael Banaag is an outstanding student and instructor. He is exceptionaly articulate and perceptive in the concepts and principles of Wing Chun Do. He has written me his thoughts on different applications of applied trapping and they show a unique insight in the science of trapping. His constant efforts to improve his teaching skills, not only in communicating with the student, but also in refining his own abilities shows his total commitment to becoming the best teacher possible. His sincere concern for each student's progress and his determination to make sure they each develop a practical skill makes me very proud to be his instructor and beyond his excellent martial arts skills he is a person I am pleased to call a friend."

- Sijo James DeMile
an Original student of Bruce Lee
Founder of DeMile Defensive Tactics
& Wing Chun Do Gung-Fu

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"I had the opportunity to watch Sifu Banaag teach for the first time at the Wing Chun Do International Convention 2001 in Hawaii as a rookie instructor. Since that time, he has put in diligent training and effort in his growth as a martial artists and teacher which allowed him to blossom as a fine, mature human being. Watching him get better in skill level of his gung fu has me excited to see the evolution of his growth. I know without a doubt that those who train and learn from Sifu Michael Banaag will be under the guidance of an excellent martial arts instructor."

- Sigung/Coach Ron Ogi
an Original student of Sijo DeMile
direct student of Professor Wally Jay of Small Circle Jujitsu

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"I highly recommend checking out training with Michael at Structural Self-defense. He is a gifted teacher and life long student. In choosing a school I learned early that we tend to take on some of the characteristics of our teachers, he is the kind of person I would want to train with or have my own family learn from."

- Master Steve Smith

Inheritor of Fook Yeung Chuan

Chief instructor at The Little Dojo

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"Sifu Michael Banaag is an excellent teacher who truly cares about his students. His stuff gears towards real world conflicts. Above all, he is really open-minded and is always ready to learn and evolve farther. We need more teachers like him in the martial arts community!"

Adam Chan

Pragmatic Martial Arts

Student Testimonials

" Really good teachers can be hard to come by. Too often we encounter the 'the subject matter expert' cast in the role of teacher and the students' squirming inside is matched only by the instructor's own unease. I've been very lucky and encountered a few really good teachers - among coaches, college instructors, graduate school profs, musicians and corporate trainers - and one of the very best I have been honored to call my teacher is Sifu Michael.

In all the martial arts I have dabbled in, Sifu Michael is hands down, the best teacher I have ever experienced. He has a gift for teaching the skills he has cultivated, and he is a gift for those of us seeking to learn the arts of self-defense.

The qualities that I most appreciate and feel make him most effective are his patience, articulation, and encouragement of dialogue. Questions are not tolerated, they are WELCOMED! Sifu doesn't have the patience for you to learn his communication style, he has the patience to discover the communication style that works for you.

The hallmark of a natural and exceptional teacher is the ability to provide numerous analogies and metaphors to explain a given concept. Sifu explains everything. And he always finds a way to say it in terms that work for you, individually.

Sifu is dedicated to sharing his knowledge, passing on his craft, and developing his students. His command is carried with an easy, personable bearing. His exacting nature is encouraging rather than demanding. His high standards are a testament to his goal of helping each student achieve his or her unique potential."

- Mark Snow
Student
Past experience in Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Hung-gar,
Tai Chi & an eclectic "Five Animal" Kung-Fu