Fall Classes We Love: From Aromatherapy 101 to DIY Canning in NYC
If September is synonymous with back to school, then October has a decidedly more whimsical aura of self-improvement– it’s a time of year when the pace of living slows and the last few terrace cafes close their gardens for the summer. Autumn leaves and chilly breezes mean that fewer activities are going on outdoors in New York City at this time, which means it’s the perfect time to focus on learning new skills, taking time for self-care, and picking up new DIY hobbies. Below, we spotlight a few New York City classes that have piqued our attention this Fall.
Floral Design
Open Studio (Beginner) – FlowerSchool New York
Beginners Open Studio is for students who are interested in floral design and want to try working with flowers. Run by the prestigious FlowerSchool New York, this studio class offers the opportunity to create a beautiful, seasonal arrangement while learning some tips and tricks of design.
Cascading Bouquet – New York Botanical Garden Midtown
Love those lush, flowing bouquets you see in magazines and on social media? Work with gorgeous blooms bursting with texture, romance, and color while learning the basics of the European hand-tie method from Nsombi Woodson, a top NYC designer for over 20 years.
Simple and Affordable Floral Arranging – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Want to learn how to style gorgeous flowers on a budget? The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s “Simple and Affordable Floral Arranging Class” is just the thing.
Flower Arranging For the Senses – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Through the practice of guided meditation, learn flower preparation, design, and aftercare with a heightened awareness and sense of calm. You’ll leave feeling more relaxed and with a stunning arrangement to take home.
Food + Drink
Fermentation 101: Miso – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Miso, the traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and the fungus Aspergillus oryzae, or koji, is both high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals. (This class will cover soy and non-soy misos.) For those interested in DIY projects, Old World food preservation, gut health, or fermentation in general, this is the class for you!
Introduction To Matcha – Palais des Thes
This matcha 101 class will tell you everything you need to know about matcha! From its origins to its health benefits and you’ll get to learn how to prepare this very unique tea as well as discover delicious matcha-based recipes.
Fall Fermentation – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Fermentation is one of the oldest food processing methods still used today. Scientifically known as zymology, it is the conversion of carbohydrates into alcohols, carbon dioxide, yeast, or bacteria. This class will teach how to make beer, miso, sourdough, kefir, kimchi and many other delicious foods that are the product of fermentation.
Introduction to Tea and Tea Tasting – Palais des Thes
Participants in this class will enjoy the full sensory experience of tea tasting while tea sommeliers will share anecdotes and background information about each tea.
Hops Class Lecture and Tasting – Bitter and Esters
Hops are wonderfully diverse and are used for multiple purposes. Each variety imparts a uniquely different scent and flavor – from spicy, citrusy, pine-like, earthy to floral. This class will comprehensively treat each hop variety from every angle, covering its essential properties and nature: you will learn how to distinguish between hop varieties and their origins as well as how to harness them throughout the brewing process to produce a perfectly balanced home brew.
Brewshop 101: Home Brewing Essentials – Bitter and Esters
Designed for the absolute novice brewer, this class is designed for anyone looking to develop a deeper understanding of beer, its ingredients, and the process by which it’s made in a friendly and savvy environment.
Basic Canning – New York Botanical Garden Bronx
Turn organic cucumbers and spices into a jar of delicious dill pickles using the tried-and-true process great-grandma used. Using the classic Ball Jar with separate lid and sealer ring, this beginner class covers the basics, from recipes to food prep to sterilization. NYBG reps will also discuss various tips and tricks for canning all kinds of produce, and guests will bring home their very own jar of soon-to-be pickles.
Mixology – Tea Infused Cocktails – Sanctuary T
- While discovering the fundamentals behind basic mixology, flavor building, and drink making, learn how tea can contribute various flavors to create a truly unique, easy-to-make cocktail.
Olive Oil 101 – O Live Brooklyn
Olive Oil 101 explores “When, What & How” as well as the flavor characteristics and chemistry of single varietal extra virgin olive oil. We also explore the scandalous world of the olive oil business and how to identify great extra virgins. Then learn how to taste like a pro with 5 different varietals.
Art + Science + Beauty
Multi-Media Flora – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
With landscape and flora as our subjects, we will work bold and free, experimenting in a variety of media including pencil, colored pencil, crayon, ink, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, collage, and some unusual materials too! This class is appropriate for all levels of art experience. Supplies will be provided.
Food & Emerging Technologies – The New School
Artists, technologists, policymakers, architects, scientists, and designers all use technology to explore, expose, and ameliorate the workings of our anthropogenic food production and distribu- tion systems. Gain insight into who these innovators are and how they are attempting to influence our food system.
Natural Perfume Blending (A or B Group) – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Smell is the most neglected of our senses, yet it has the power to instantly penetrate our consciousness, evoking memories and emotion. Examine the art of natural perfumery. Gain a basic understanding of the sense of smell, the history of perfume, the advent of synthetic ingredients, and the return to naturals. Explore perfume ingredients and formulation, and leave with two bottles of your own bespoke perfume. Bring a notebook; all other materials will be provided.
Introduction to Essential Oils – NY Institute of Aromatherapy
Learn what an essential oil is, how best to use them, and why they can be such powerful medicine. In this class participants will learn about six different essential oils that can be used to make their own aromatherapy product at home.
Wellness + Health
Treating Cold and Flus Naturally – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
We sometimes forget that plants have been used to treat the common cold and the flu for millennia. Discover how herbs and spices can help boost your immune system, relieve stress, and complement your medical protocol in general.
Supporting Your Health with Wild Root Medicine – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The harvest of autumn can connect us deeply to the healing energies of the earth. Learn how to use the sweet nourishment from both edible and medicinal roots for nutrient-dense remedies that can balance body, mind, and spirit.
Mind Calming Herbal Remedies for Insomnia – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Whether you are a longtime insomniac or an occasional non-sleeper, you can learn how to balance your nervous system and reduce anxiety. Get tips on establishing a bedtime ritual to receive the nourishment of deep rest, and discover how to build a bedtime apothecary of herbal preparations.
Yoga By Nature – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
One meaning of yoga is “union”—bringing us into harmony with ourselves, our community, and the natural universe. By practicing among fellow nature lovers on the beautiful grounds of BBG, your body and heart will synchronize with the natural world and be flooded with a deep appreciation for the splendor of our environment.
Herbal Medicine Chest – Remedies Herb Shop
New York based herbalist Jo Anne Richards of Peony Rose Apothecary will show you how to stock your medicine cabinet with nature’s bounty. Participants will be introduced to the top 10 herbs to have close at hand for optimal wellness, first aid, and deep healing.
Self Care For Women – Brooklyn Brainery
In this comprehensive class, herbalist, food entrepreneur, birth and postpartum doula and mom Laena McCarthy, will discuss healing traditions and practices to boost the female body’s natural resilience while protecting from stress and damage, from the inside and out. The class will begin with an overview of what healthy self-care rituals look like, why taking care of your body is important, and how to heal and take care of your skin, body and cycles using simple herbs and ingredients from your pantry.
Interested in more workshops, classes, and cool events around town? Check our Events We Love column for the latest updates, or sign up for the GC newsletter.
