Self-defense courses for Toronto's long winter evenings
Larchway teaches calm, practical awareness and movement skills for the months when the sun sets before you leave work. Classes run through the Danforth neighbourhood, Broadview and the wider Greater Toronto Area, scheduled for the evening hours people actually have free.
At a glance
- Class evenings
- Monday – Saturday
- Class hours
- 16:00–21:30
- Service area
- Toronto, ON
- Starting price
- CA$145
COURSES
Three courses, one winter
Each course stands on its own. Together they move from a single awareness session to a full five-month practice.
Winter Commute Awareness
Practical sessions on moving through dark parkades, bus stops and icy sidewalks with calm awareness.
CA$145
Beginners and daily commuters, ages 16 and up · 3 sessions of 2 hours
Lantern Skills Course
Six weeks of foundational technique, practised in winter layers so it feels realistic for the season.
CA$390
Beginner level · 6 weeks, two sessions per week, 75 minutes each
WHO IT SUITS
For commuters, beginners and anyone returning to the mats
Most people who come to Larchway are not looking to become competitive fighters. They want a steadier walk from the subway to their door at seven in the evening, or a way to spend a cold Tuesday night doing something structured with their hands and feet instead of scrolling a phone. The Winter Commute Awareness sessions are built for exactly that audience: adults aged sixteen and up who commute through Toronto after dark for a few months a year.
The Lantern Skills Course and the Long Path Program sit a step further along. They suit people with no prior training who want a real foundation, and people already comfortable on a mat who want twenty consistent weeks rather than a single evening. None of the three courses assumes an athletic background — footwear changes, layers thicken, and sessions are paced so a newcomer and a returning student can train side by side.
WHAT TO BRING
What a first evening at Larchway involves
Nothing elaborate — comfortable winter layers and a willingness to move.
Before your first class
Wear clothes you can move in under a coat — track pants and a long-sleeve top work well. Bring indoor shoes or clean sneakers; the mats stay dry but the Toronto sidewalks outside do not.
What we provide
Loaner pads for the Lantern Skills Course, printed worksheets for the Winter Commute sessions, and a training jacket as part of the Long Path Program. You never need to buy equipment to start.
WHAT A BOOKING COVERS
What's included
- Instruction from the course's assigned coach for every scheduled session
- Loaner pads or wraps where the course description names them
- Printed or digital course notes to keep after the sessions end
- Access to the group chat for schedule updates during the season
SCOPE LIMITS
What is not included
- Private one-on-one coaching outside the Long Path Program's set hours
- Competition entry fees or travel for anyone who later chooses to compete
- Personal protective gear beyond the loaner items named per course
QUICK ANSWERS
A few things people ask before their first class
Do I need experience?
No. All three courses are built to take a complete beginner.
What if I miss a class?
Let us know ahead of time where possible — see Booking Terms for details.
Is it only for winter?
The courses are designed around winter evenings, but they run on the published schedule year-round.
Where are classes held?
In the Broadview Avenue area of Toronto — see the map below.
COVERAGE
Where we train
Classes run from our Broadview Avenue location, within easy reach of the Danforth and East Toronto. Most students arrive by TTC streetcar or a short walk; a small lot nearby covers overflow parking on class evenings.
6
years teaching evening courses in Toronto
3
course levels, from a single session to a full season
75
minutes per Lantern Skills session
1
business day, typical reply time to enquiries
SCHEDULING
Lead times and access
The Winter Commute Awareness sessions open roughly two weeks before each start date; the Lantern Skills Course and Long Path Program open about a month ahead, since they run in fixed terms. Sign up through the contact form below and a coach will confirm your place within one business day.
Reach us directly
- Address
- 838 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4K 2R1
- Phone
- +1 416-521-5078
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Monday – Saturday, 16:00–21:30
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET) — Toronto
Get in touch
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