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Raiz Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 10 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Eagle River, Alaska
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 4–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Website & schedule raizbrazilianjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (907) 726-4706
The classes they run
“Not only has his passion for jiu-jitsu made him invaluable part of our lives, but his kindness and big heart has left an everlasting impression on my kids.”
“Raiz is by far the best self defense academy in Eagle River and here's why: Professor Mateus' teachings are thoroughly thought out.”
“All the other students were super kind Felt comfortable from the second I walked in Great place for beginners & established BJJ practitioners.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“High level Jiu Jitsu program and world class instructor.”
“I’m truly grateful that him and Jason took the leap and provided something truly special for my family, Eagle River, and visitors looking for a welcoming place to train.”
“My family has been receiving lessons from Professor Mateus for the past 4 years.”
“His techniques are effective, suitable for beginners, and are taught in a precise order to bring his students to the best of their abilities.”
“The academy's environment is also worth noting: there's plenty of space for training, the mats are always clean, and frankly, the space looks amazing.”
“He has also made it clear that women who are considering training will partner up with other females, as opposed to other gyms that put young women with stronger males.”
From the reviews
FANTASTIC BJJ Gym right in the heart of Eagle River! Clean facilities and wonderful teachers & training partners!
My entire family trains at Raiz and I cannot recommend them enough. The coaches are welcoming, respectful and passioniate about the sport. The facility is clean and welcoming. I especially want to shout out their kid's class. My family trained Jiu Jitsu before, so we're not completely new to the sport.
Raiz is by far the best self defense academy in Eagle River and here's why: Professor Mateus' teachings are thoroughly thought out. His techniques are effective, suitable for beginners, and are taught in a precise order to bring his students to the best of their abilities.
My family has been receiving lessons from Professor Mateus for the past 4 years. Not only has his passion for jiu-jitsu made him invaluable part of our lives, but his kindness and big heart has left an everlasting impression on my kids.
New to BJJ? Start at Raiz Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Raiz Brazilian Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Raiz Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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