Coach/Instructor

IAM's Chief Instructor is Michael Banaag.  Mr. Banaag considers himself a Human 1st, a Mover 2nd, & a Specialist last, but what he specializes in is teaching people natural movement oriented activities to help people gain better fitness, mobility & confidence to help them become better overall Humans.

with Erwan Le Corre, Founder of MovNat

He has received training& certification in MovNat's "MovNat Certified Trainer" program learning from Founder Erwan Le Coree, Brian Tabor & Kellen Milad (becoming one of the 1st trainers here in Washington State & the Pacific Northwest) to help people better learn to move both naturally and efficiently to improve one's own overall fitness.

DeMile & Banaag in
Black Belt Magazine Apr 2005

Michael is also a direct student of James DeMile, one of Bruce Lee's original students here in Seattle from the late 50's to early 60's (pre-Jun Fan/JKD era), & founder of DeMile Gung-Fu Lineage.  Michael started his training with DeMile at the age of 13, and became the youngest Certified Adult Black Belt, and youngest Certified Instructor given that authorization by DeMile himself.

Banaag & Ogi at Sensei Ed Melaugh's
Small Circle Jujitsu Camp in New Hampshire 2005

With Over a decade of self-defense teaching experience, Mr. Banaag has assisted both DeMile & Senior Instructor Ronald Ogi, one of DeMile's original students & 6th degree Black Belt in Prof. Wally Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu, in seminars and training camps throughout the country. Michael has also assisted in training and preparing the next generation of instructors in the DeMile Gung-Fu Lineage. 

He has also appeared with 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 Basics Level Certified Instructor in Special Forces Combatives.

2002 Special Forces Combatives

with Jesse Glover

with Steve Smith

Understanding that life is a never ending process of growth and progression, Mr. Banaag continues his skill development through the practice of Natural Movement skills, as well as having been a student with the late Jesse Glover (Bruce Lee's 1st student & founder of Non-Classical Gung-Fu), training at workshops with Steve Smith (inheritor of Fook Yeung Chuan), exposing himself to other fitness modalities, and continuing interaction with James DeMile & Ron Ogi.


Please Note: Though Mr. Banaag has had the honor to train with Mr. Glover & Mr. Smith, he does not teach Fook Yeung Chuan, nor Non-Classical Gung-Fu as he does not have authorization to do so, & would not do so out of his TREMENDOUS respect to both of these Great men.

As the leader of IAM it is Michael's goal to help you achieve such mastery in your movement that you can do things instinctually and with ease. Through this achievement, you can develop self-confidence as you better yourself and stay active, stay fit, and stay safe through the practice of natural human species specific movement.  If you have the willingness, you'll gain the ability, and can become even more determined to say "I AM happy with myself!  I AM proud of myself! I AM what I've always strived to be!"