The Minnesota River Bluffs new home for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
River city Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is owned and operated by Alliance Jiu Jitsu black belt, and Winona native, Erik Miner. Erik moved from Winona to the twin cities to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2005. Over these years, Erik competed all over the country and medaled in numerous regional, international and world tournaments. He has been fortunate enough to have spent time training with dozens of world champions, Olympic level grapplers and NCAA national champions. Erik and his family moved to Winona in 2021 to raise their family and open a gym to share the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle with the community he grew up in.
I am very excited to be back in Winona after all of these years. I grew up loving the outdoors, but taking for granted the natural beauty and rich life that is at our fingertips here. Each time I would return to Winona, it would set in a little more of how great of an area this really is. The Alliance Jiu Jitsu gym that I have been fortunate to be a part of has wholeheartedly revolutionized every aspect of my life. My goal is to share that culture and lifestyle with the people in the Winona area in an extremely friendly and welcoming environment. If you have ever considered jiu jitsu, please contact us!
Class Schedule
Here is the gym schedule for the week of new years:
Monday (12/30)
Noon: open training
5:45pm: open training
Tuesday (NYE - 12/31)
9:30am open training
PM classes are cancelled
Wednesday (1/1)
No classes
Thursday (1/2)
9:30am open training
5:15pm Kids class
6:15pm open training
Friday (1/3)
Noon: open training
5:00pm open training
Saturday (1/4)
9:30am Kids class
10:30am open training
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Holiday party last night! A special thanks to everyone who helped out…We had a great time celebrating the year with you and we are looking forward to 2025! Cheers and Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁🎅
Thank for @fabiogurgel for a wonderful seminar and @alliancempls for hosting! It was great to see old friends and new ones!
Alliance team wins the team trophies for men’s and women’s at master worlds!
💪 💪 💪
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Alliance is now 14 time team champions of the World! Even if you don’t compete or haven’t in a long time, you are part of a group of world class people on and off the mat. The people you keep company with is something to be proud of; everyone striving to be better!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Kids class! Contact me today to find out how you can get your child started in Jiu Jitsu!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Always grinding!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Awesome to see the progress everyone is making! These kids are putting in the work and getting strong 💪 and resilient!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
A little bit of action from last night! It’s awesome to see the progression!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
It’s a new year! Remember to leave behind a few bad habits, pickup some new good ones and continue moving forward and improving on and off the mat!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Alliance River City!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt #lionsnotsheep
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Owner of an aggressive fighting style, Fabio Caloi is a remarkable competitor in the history of Alliance Jiu Jitsu. Having achieved numerous titles, including the European No-Gi and the South American Kimono championships, Fabinho embodies the beautiful and forward-moving Jiu Jitsu that captivates the audience. Currently dedicated to expanding Alliance Jiu Jitsu in the Middle East, Fabio Caloi is the honored individual this week in the post celebrating the team’s 30-year history.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Elected Teacher of the Year by Alliance SP in 2017, Edson Oliveira not only excels in teaching but also shines in the competitive scene. Edson holds the title of world champion in the blue belt category, marking the early milestones of his remarkable career. However, the pinnacle of his achievements was reached in 2016 when he became the Brazilian no-gi champion in the black belt category.
Currently, Edson plays a crucial role in expanding Alliance Jiu Jitsu worldwide, serving as the head coach at Alliance Vancouver. His dedication and expertise make him a significant figure in celebrating the 30 years of Alliance, being the honoree of the week.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Thank you @bmalfacine for making the day so special for us and sharing your techniques and philosophy! Thank you @alliancempls & @alliancebjjst.croix for supporting us here as well!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Hey everybody, it’s the last day to signup for a seminar with 10x world champion Bruno Malfacine! The seminar is on 12/2 @ 11am - the cost is $100. DM me to register!!!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Instructors
It’s hard to talk about our Judo and BJJ instructors without sounding like we’re bragging. The plain fact of the matter is that we have one of the best teams of martial arts instructors you will find anywhere. Led by Erik Miner, our instructors are talented, accomplished, passionate and the kind of people you just enjoy hanging out with, because after all, although we take what we do very seriously, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is supposed to be fun.
Erik Miner
Head Coach
Alliance BJJ Black Belt
Erik has competed all over the country and medaled in numerous regional, international and world tournaments. He has been fortunate enough to have spent time training with dozens of world champions, Olympic level grapplers and NCAA national champions. Erik and his family moved to Winona in 2021 to raise their family and open a gym to share the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle with the community he grew up in.
J.R. Westberg
Assistant Coach
Alliance BJJ Brown Belt
J.R. is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt under Damian Hirtz from Alliance Minnesota. He started jiu-jitsu in early 2009 as a temporary means to stay in shape during the cold Minnesota winter, but fell in love with the sport and never stopped. J.R. has competed in multiple tournaments as a blue and purple belt and enjoys the coaching and strategy of jiu-jitsu tournaments. When off the mats, he works as the research director for orthopaedic surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center, and is also pursuing a master’s degree in public health at John University in Baltimore, MD.
Corey Hentig
Assistant Coach
Alliance BJJ Brown Belt
Corey is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt who has had a life-long passion for grappling. Corey started out as a High School Wrestler and Coach, in 2013 he began training in BJJ to get back into a healthy hobby and reconnect with grappling when a “normal” workout just wasn’t enough. Corey enjoys competing occasionally to test his progress, but his real passion is just enjoying all the friendships and experience gained through training. Corey’s continued goal is to improve his Jiu Jitsu and gain more experience instructing.