Look out, Walker County. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has made its way into Alabama, and Jason Darty is teaching members of our local law enforcement how take our criminals to the ground – literally. 78 Magazine recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jason Darty, owner and instructor at Alabama’s first Gracie United Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and Sergeant Ralph Williams, criminal investigator with the Walker County Sheriff’s Department to find out more about this sport.78: Jason, what exactly is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? JD: Basically, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) demonstrates that a smaller person can successfully defend against a bigger opponent by focusing on two things: grappling and getting the opponent to the ground as quickly as possible. Grappling is essential because it allows us to use self-defense techniques such as joint manipulations, chokes, and submissions in order to subdue our opponents.78: Where did you train? JD: I trained in Louisiana under Rafael Ellwanger. Ellwanger earned his black belt from Carlos Gracie, Jr., the founder’s son.78: How long have you been studying BJJ?JD: I’ve been with the Gracie family for three and a half years. I earned my purple belt last September.RW: I’ve been studying since August.78: Speaking of belts, how many are there?JD: There are five adult belts: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. There are also stripes on the belts which indicate a certain skill level. However, it isn’t easy to move up and it takes a great deal of discipline to earn the belts. In fact, you can be a doctor before you reach the rank of black belt.78: Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for anyone?JD: Yes. It’s ideal for a smaller, weaker person because it focuses on building technique. It’s also a great way to learn self-defense. I’ve seen women who could put Ralph on the ground. Plus, BJJ is an incredible workout. In a one hour class, you can burn 970 calories, the equivalent of running ten miles.78: Ralph, why is learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu important for law enforcement?RW: If the Jiu-Jitsu training is consistent, it will provide a significant advantage when officers find themselves in a grappling or wrestling match while trying to make an arrest. The advantage is not only from the techniques we learn but also the cardiovascular benefits and conditioning of the mind it provides. We are provided with very effective less-lethal tools to subdue a suspect such as Tasers, chemical sprays, and batons. However, we don't always have time to deploy these before the ‘fight’ begins. We also have to consider the tool malfunctioning because it is faulty or because we do not use it correctly when stress and adrenalin flood our mind and body. As mixed martial arts grows in popularity with average citizens, we will naturally see more criminals with this type of training as well. We in the law enforcement community need to be prepared for any situation.78: Why is teaching in Jasper appealing? JD: I went to high school in Oakman and I have family here, plus I’m a single dad raising two young daughters. It just seemed like the right time to come back. I’ve taken a year off from my job in underwater construction just so I can establish the academy. I’ve also noticed that MMA (mixed martial arts) has been given a bad name in the past, especially in Walker County. If you don’t know more than one martial art, you can’t mix them correctly. I’ve studied Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense), boxing, and traditional jiu-jitsu, and I look forward to being able to teach my community about the proper way to train and compete in mixed martial arts competitions.78: This place really seems like it’s a family. Is that true? Is that common with other Gracie studios?JD: Absolutely. We have twenty-two studios in the southeast, and it’s really just one big network. We have family reunions with other studios, birthday parties, and competitions. You tend to make good friends when you choke them every day.Jasper’s Gracie United Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is located at 52 North Walston Bridge Road and offers a variety of classes for all age groups. To find out more, call Darty at 388-2586 or visit Gracie United BJJ Jasper on Facebook.