Do you want to be a ninja? Or a stunt performer? Or just a badass who can flee a scene without obstacles getting in your way? Then why not learn parkour!?
According to Wikipedia “Parkour is an athletic training discipline in which practitioners attempt to get from point A to point B in the most fluid way possible, without assisting equipment and in the fastest and most efficient way possible.”
Parkour is often used interchangeably with “Free-running” which is when you’ll see individuals incorporating flips and other stylish tricks.
I’m happy to see exposure and interest in Parkour growing in recent years. A lot of Youtubers (and I do mean A LOT) have taken on the challenge to learn the basics.
The great thing about parkour is that you don’t need to be strong, flexible, or have an athletic body to get started. With proper technique, you can learn to jump, climb, and vault your body across various articles with relative ease.
I’ve compiled a list of locations I’ve personally seen and heard about from Traceurs in the city, along with some Ninjutsu martial art schools, just in case you’re interested in being the full ninja package 😉
MY Experience With Parkour
As for me, I was a spy-wannabe as a kid, then later upgraded to a ninja-wannabe in high school. I always thought the art of parkour was cool, but I didn’t know there was a name for it until I watched the “Urban Ninja” video around 2012, but I was young and broke then.
A couple years later, I found out about The Monkey Vault, a parkour gym in Toronto, and the only parkour gym in North America until recent years. I asked my friend to join me and we took a beginner lesson, had some fun. It was quite out of the way and it was pricey considering we were university students.
Later, another friend made a post in 2018 asking if anyone would be down to learn Parkour with her and I jumped at the opportunity. While it was still a long trip, I didn’t mind it if I had a buddy. We went 3 times, every other weekend. The 4th time, she was sick so I went alone. Sadly, after the hour+ long trip in the rain, I arrived to a closed door for the first time. No warning or heads up.
I still wanted to learn though! When I mentioned our story on some local groups, I came across a couple people who were willing to teach us/me with no strings attached. and luckily met a couple people in the community who were willing to teach. It can be intimidating being a newbie, but don’t worry! The people are really cool and sweet ^_^
Sadly, I got a bit of a problematic knee, so practicing outside where I could bang it on concrete isn’t the best option. And not long after the Vault reopened, the pandemic started, but I do look forward to getting back into it one day.
A lot of new places have been opening up and other places have been implementing ninja obstacles, so there’s more places to practice your skills. Maybe we’ll bump into each other! 😛
Parkour/Obstacle Gyms
1. Shinobi Village
465 Milner Ave #6, Scarborough
“The Shinobi Village has emerged from the shadows to become the only shinobi (ninja) training centre in the GTA, offering martial arts, parkour, and movement training for practical use in both urban and natural environments. Our facility and it’s obstacles were designed to prepare you to navigate a real-life environment and develop practical movement and martial arts skills. It’s more than just various sizes of boxes stacked on top of each other or impractical hanging balls and warped walls!”
2. The Monkey Vault
75 Carl Hall Rd #15, North York
The original Parkour gym! They used to be located midtown, but have reopened in North York at Downsview Park. You can pay for the day or take lessons in parkour, gymnastics, and more. With more space and way more obstacles, you’re bound to find countless ways to challenge your body and mind.
3. Pursuit OCR
75 Westmore Drive, Etobicoke
“We are the largest indoor obstacle course and training center in Canada. Located in the heart of Toronto, we fuse fun, energy, and fitness into one truly unique experience. Push yourself to the limit with our wide selection of classes and training programs! Get your stretch on with our yoga classes! Need something a little more intense? Our kettle bell training program will test your limits. Are you looking to reach new heights with your fitness level? Give our awesome aerial circus class a try! No matter what you can dream of achieving, our incredibly talented trainers can help.”
4. Aspire Climbing
231 Trade Valley Dr. Unit D-F, Vaughan
“Our facility is over 20,000 sq/ft and houses 7,000+ sq/ft of climbing surface. The bouldering problems are up to 16 ft high featuring 70 degree overhangs, slab, and everything in between. Our biggest boulder will have you climbing 27 feet from start to finish with multiple angle changes! Our team sets new boulders weekly, so there will always be a new challenge when you come in. Our space also features a ninja-warrior obstacle course that is updated with new elements regularly to keep the obstacles fresh.”
5. Air Riderz
3600 Ridgeway Drive, Unit 4 & 5, Mississauga
570 Applewood Crescent, Unit 3, Vaughan
“Our 30,000 square foot facility of adventure and fun includes wall-to-wall trampolines, a one-of-a-kind Climb Zone, slam dunk trampoline lanes, a dodgeball court, Trapeze, Stunt Bag, Ninja Warrior Course and so much more! There is truly something for everyone at Air Riderz.”
6. Birchmount Gymnastics
42 Howden Rd, Scarborough
“Balance, strength, flexibility, agility, focus and precision – these are the building blocks of Ninja training. Our Ninja classes are now available for ages 5 and older. Come join our new 12 week session that runs from January 11 to April 2. Classes are one hour in length.”
Ninjutsu (Bujikan) Schools
1. Bujikan Dojo Ninjutsu
509 Bloor Street W, Toronto
“The Koroku Dojo is an open house of the Bujinkan, training students in the art of Budo Taijutsu. Though this art is dated back to feudal Japan, you will find its skills transcend time through their adaptable applications to remain just as relevant today. Practicing this complete martial art, you will develop awareness of your body and knowledge of your own unique strengths and abilities while learning about close combat and traditional weapons.”
2. Ninpo Ninjutsu
1001 Denison St, Unit 10, Markham
“We provide highly effective, duplicable, practical combat abilities, which are the key to survival in a high stress, real world environment. One might be faced with a wide range of situations: close quarters such as stairwells, hallways, doorways, moving at night or in a vehicle. Techniques have to be usable in everyday situations and when off balance such as being in a chair, being surprise attacked, if injured and with heavy clothing or carrying equipment.”
3. Heiho Canada/Shinbunkan Dojo
134 Doncaster Ave, Markham
Shinbukan is a school dedicated to the study of Japanese martial and culture. Training is based on 18 general Samurai skills as well as 18 specialized Ninja skills. The foundation is based on on Taijutsu (unarmed skills), Bojutsu (staff skills), Bikenjutsu (sword skills), Seishin Teki Kyoyo (morallity) and Goshinjutsu (self defence).
4. Martial Arts Toronto
2 Wembley Road, Toronto
Toronto Martial Arts has classes specializing in Ancient Weaponry. “The weapons that we teach at our school are the bo (6′ staff), sai (forked prongs), jo (4′ staff), the tong fa (tool for grinding rice into flour), kama (sickle), ulesi (a Filipino weapon), knife procedures, Iaido (the way of drawing the sword), and Kenjutsu, (the use of the sword in battle). The major purpose of training with weapons is to teach the difference between life and death.”
5. Japanese Canadian Culture Centre (JCCC)
6 Garamond Ct, North York
All of the martial arts programs operated at the JCCC are affiliated with Japan, and are recognized by Martial Arts federations on both national and international levels. Over the five decades of its operation, we have produced winners and international competitors. Our instructors do much more than teach skills and techniques – they educate students in the tradition and discipline associated with these sports.
Groups/Teams To join
1. Greater Toronto Parkour (GTP)
Facebook | Instagram
“Parkour is a complete training method where one combines strength, endurance, coordination, agility, balance and a sense of creativity. It’s also relevant to the values of the world: it promotes courage and perseverance, self-awareness, respect for others, and caring for one’s community. We organize events every week. Find us on Facebook and Instagram for weekly updates and event locations!”
2. Wednesday Parkour Meet
This group is for Parkour practitioners in the Greater Toronto Area, more specifically “The Wednesday Meet”. Held every week at 4:30pm at the north end of Queens park. Beginners and out of town visitors welcome!
3. Play Project
Play Project is an organization dedicated to expanding knowledge of parkour and its benefits, as well as building the parkour community. We accomplish these goals locally in Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, and Stoney Creek by teaching a variety of parkour classes, hosting parkour related events, and doing parkour performances.
4. Canadian Ninja League
The CNL represents gyms across Canada interested in hosting Ninja Competitions; providing athletes of all ages and skill level the opportunity to train and participate in competitions similar to those seen on TV, such as “American Ninja Warrior” or “Ultimate Beastmaster”. CNL Member Athletes can earn points, which are posted to a nationwide Ninja Leaderboard, so they can see how they rank against other Canadian Ninja’s. Accumulate enough points and potentially earn a spot at the Canadian Ninja Finals.
Outdoor Places To Practice
Some locations on this list are highlighted in this video:
Cloud Gardens Conservatory
(To Reopen Fall 2022)
14 Temperance St, Toronto
Cloud Gardens or “Bay Adelaide Park” and “Cloud Gardens Conservatory” is a small park in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It extends from the south side Richmond Street to the north side of Temperance Street, between Yonge Street and Bay Street, on 0.6 acres of land. This is a favourite and top recommended spot for parkour practitioners.
Mel Lastman Square
5100 Yonge St, North York
Mel Lastman Square is a public square at North York Civic Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is named for then North York mayor Mel Lastman.
The Harbourfront
The tranquil Harbourfront area on the shores of Lake Ontario offers waterfront parks and trails, plus galleries, theatres and literary events at the Harbourfront Centre. Families take the ferry to the Toronto Islands for beaches and the Centreville children’s amusement park with its 1907 carousel. Sleek condo towers housing young professionals offer hip street-level restaurants, cafes and shops.
Grange Park
Beverley St & McCaul Street, Toronto
Grange Park is a neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bounded on the west by Spadina Avenue, on the north by College Street, on the east by University Avenue and on the south by Queen Street West. It is within the ‘Kensington-Chinatown’ City of Toronto planning neighbourhood. Its name is derived from the Grange Park public park. The commercial businesses of Chinatown extend to within this neighbourhood.
Living Arts Centre
4141 Living Arts Dr, Mississauga
The Living Arts Centre is a 225,000 sq ft multi-use facility which opened in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on October 7, 1997. The complex houses two theatres for the performing arts, Hammerson Hall and RBC Theatre, an exhibition gallery, seven art studios and facilities for corporate meetings.
University of Toronto Campus
Outside of the OISE Library tends to be a regular hangout for parkour practitioners in the city. It is a campus, so you can go around and keep an eye for walls, rails, and other obstacles to practice on.
York University Campus
I have yet to see this place mentioned on lists, but as someone who lives in the area, I can’t think of a better place. Unlike UofT, York is it’s own secluded campus, so you don’t have to deal with all the traffic and eyes that will notice you when you’re practicing downtown. There are so many buildings, along with paths, stairs, rails, and walls for you to practice on. Find the path to get in the middle of buildings, and you’ll also get a more private area for you to practice and chill at.
Calisthenics Parks
Various locations around the city with places like the photo below! Work on your pull ups, box jumps, and much more in a safe outside environment.
Other Suggestions
Other places that seem to be a common hangout for parkour practitioners include: Bickford Centre, Fairview/Emerald City Condominiums, Milner Parkette, Hillcrest School, Bowmore Public School, and Yorkville.
Conclusion
I hope this list has helped you figure where to start with parkour. Be grateful that Toronto is not only a place with lots of urban infrastructure and obstacles, but that the parkour community is alive and well.
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Check out Birchmount Gymnastics Centre’s Ninja classes and birthday parties at http://www.birchmountgymnastics.com
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