Local Man Opens Martial Arts Studio in Town

Terry Doucette has always wanted to open his own martial arts studio - so, earlier this year, he did just that. 

Docuette, Manchester born and bred, opened East Coast Jiujitsu and Cross Training at 317 Green Road in May.

The studio, according to its website, "provides a professional level of fight training and practical self-defense to men, women and children. We offer a complete, well rounded system of Martial Arts that focuses on techniques that can be used effectively in modern day situations." 

Docuette himself first got into jiujitsu in 1996 he enrolled his son in a class, and became interested in the practice himself. From there, he began studying and training to become an instructor, and has taught and trained at various studios in the area, including the Manchester Police Activities League. He said it's both good exercise and a practical way of learning self-defense skills that could be very handy if ever needed. 

But, in finally opening his own studio, Doucette said he was hoping to provide parents with an affordable, available place where they can introduce their children to the "real world, close quarters style" of jiujitsu at a fair price. 

"What I'm getting mostly right now, and what I'm mostly putting my focus on right now is the kids," Doucette said, noting that his studio is one of the few in the area that takes and has classes for children as young as three to five years old. "I wish this was available to me when I was a kid." 

In addition to standard jiujitsu instruction, East Coast also offers Brazilian-style, children's martial arts classes and cardio kickboxing. 

For more information about East Coast Jiujitsu and Cross Training, the gym's hours or pricing, Doucette suggest you visit its website or Facebook page.