Bucking the current economic maelstrom, Bernard and Yuki Dougherty are embarking on an exciting chapter of teaching martial arts by opening a new location of their Kobayashi Dojo.
The Doughertys began their journey 23 years ago, when they opened the flagship Kobayashi Dojo on Vincennes Boulevard.
They credit Cape Coral as a community for making the first dojo a success. But they also focus on their skills as teachers and the message they try to share with their students with helping to build their reputation over the previous 2 1/2 decades.
“One of the driving forces behind our success is we’re trying to instill traditional values and virtues in everyone that passes through our doors,” Bernard said. “We’re trying to get back to a foundation … there’s too much violence in our society.”
Relying on traditional Japanese culture in their teachings, the Doughertys have touched the lives of several generations of Cape children and their families.
“Our dojo teaches very different things from other martial arts studios. The way we teach is based on Japanese traditions,” Yuki said. “We teach the cultures, not just the kick and punch.”
The Doughertys were originally thinking of moving into the southwest Cape when the idea of expanding their operations arose. They instead chose an ideal location on Pine Island Road, to get in on the ground floor, so to speak, of an expanding commercial zone, one that has plenty of room to grow.
With the grand opening of the new dojo looming, the Doughertys reflect back on their success over the years with a deep respect for their students and for the Cape.
Even now, with the country in a recession and Southwest Florida the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis, the Doughertys are seeing more students and more age groups than ever.
Bernard speculates that their continued, and most recent success, is due to people looking for focus and stress relief amid the troubling economic times.
“One of the biggest things we offer is stress relief and focus, which helps to guide people through these tough times,” he said.
“We’re very indebted to our community and very committed to our community … if we can offer hope or stress relief, that’s why we’re here, to help everybody through this time,” Bernard added.
The open house for the new Pine Island location of the Kobayashi Dojo is from 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Sensei Dougherty at 549-2255.