NEW THINGS TO TRY IN GENEVA
COURSES FOR ADULTS
by Chené Koscielny and Alexandra Belz
There is nothing as refreshing and satisfying as learning a new skill – whatever your age, occupation or interest – from learning ways of reducing your ecological footprint to trying a new fitness trend or learning to make the perfect fondue. Geneva offers many adult learning courses in English – you just need to know where to find them. Here are some new ones we’ve tried or which are on our to list.
MAKE YOUR OWN BEER – at BIERE YOURSELF
Biere Yourself is a new atelier in Ferney-Voltaire in France, where anyone can come and learn to brew their own beer with professional equipment in a relaxed environment. They offer seven recipes, including a seasonal beer recipe which changes every few months. The experience takes place over two sessions – the first session lasts about four hours, and takes the students through every step of the brewing process from start to finish. The second session takes place around four weeks later due to beer fermentation, when students come back to bottle, label and take home their beer – around 20 bottles (10L) depending on the recipe.
The price is 180€ per brewing post (1 or 2 people), and includes all equipment, ingredients and supplies, as well as a beer tasting and apéro during the brewing session. Classes are available in English, French or Spanish and are fully wheelchair accessible. It is also possible to book the workshop for private events like teambuilding, bachelor/bachelorette parties or birthdays for a maximum of 15 people.
We haven’t tested this yet, but will do so soon and keep you posted. It’s right up our alley!
MORE INFO
Booking, gift vouchers and more information are available online at www.biereyourself.fr
11 rue de Versoix 01210 Ferney-Voltaire FRANCE
+33761998415
TURN YOUR OLD JUMPER INTO A HAT… TALLIS
Turn your old jumper into a hat or learn how to reduce the impact of your clothing or how to reduce plastic in your home. Popular local brand Tallis, who makes and sells garments and accessories from reclaimed materials, will bring sustainable living to your fingertips during their workshops at La Collective (10 Rue Dr-Alfred-Vincent, 1201 Geneva). Learn how to use less plastic in your life or reduce the impact of your clothing. Reclaim materials by transforming an unused jumper into a hat or try your hand at making a pompom to sew onto your hat or create a keychain.
WHERE
La Collective.
10 Rue Dr Alfred Vincent, 1201 Geneva
MORE INFO
https://www.thetallis.com/pages/workshops
SELF-CARE COURSE FOR MOTHERS – Sohappy
Mothers need to recharge their batteries and nurture themselves to be able to take care of their children: carve out an hour for yourself: you deserve it!
Self-care for mothers is a new course offered by parent coach Silvia Vernaschi at Sohappy studio in Plainpalais to help you reconnect with your body and mind, share the joy and challenges of being a mum and meet other women in the community.
Having lived in Bangkok, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Geneva, Silvia, originally from Italy, understands exactly how lonely and isolating the first years of motherhood can be. Her course offers one hour of respite, recharging and sharing your challenges with other women in the same situation.
The course is open to mothers with children of any age and is offered in English.
The cost is CHF20-30 per class, depending on the package selected.
WHERE
Sohappy Plainpalais
Rue de Carouge 28, 1205
MORE INFO
BODY BALLET WORKOUT – with Wellnessonly
Learn to move with the elegance of a ballerina, while working on your fitness at the same time.
We tried the body ballet class at Wellnessonly.ch – a charming studio in the centre of Geneva’s Old town – and we are hooked!
A classically trained dance teacher and choreographer teaches this class easy to follow as no need to be a ballerina. Taught to classical music, the class starts with simpler ballet movements, working up to a sequence of moves, which takes a lot of concentration, but is a lot of fun!
You’ll get a bit sweaty at some point, before ending the class with some delicious stretches. The class is open to all and beginners are very welcome.
We LOVED this class – and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new type of workout, which improves coordination and flexibility.
WHEN
Wednesdays evenings 18h (30min) and following with 18h30 (30min) of Fit Body Art. Some Saturdays workshops are programmed .
WHERE
5 Place Bourg de Four, 1204 Geneva
MORE INFO
Book a space by calling or emailing to tel. 078 712 04 63 or gisevars4@gmail.com
HOT YOGA – at Yogaflame
Geneva has a new hot yoga studio.
Classes are offered at between 33 and 38 degrees and you will sweat!
Courses include Balkan flow – a combination of Bikram and vinyasa poses, vinyasa and the more demanding hardcore yoga sequences of Ashtanga and Rocket. Rocket yoga is an exalting practice rooted in Ashtanga vinyasa. The sequence is composed of poses from the Primary and Intermediate Series of Ashtanga, as well as key postures from the 3rd and 4th series including arm balances and heart openings. It is not for the faint-hearted.
But don’t worry, there are also gentler classes!
The teachers are excellent – some classes are in French, but most are both in English and French.
The facilities are great, location is in the heart of town and Carole, Kara, Nathalie and the other teachers are very welcoming!
Well worth a try if you’re into yoga and like heat! We love it.
Single classes start from CHF39 but there are different packages available, including a 14-day trial pass.
WHERE
YOGAFLAME
Galerie Jean Malbuisson 15, 1204 Genève
WHEN
Open 7 days a week – consult website for schedule.
MORE INFO
BECOME A FONDUE-MAKING EXPERT – Restaurant Edelweiss
A new course at the Restaurant Edelweiss promises to turn you into an expert in fondue-making. You will even get a certificate to declare you a fondue expert at the end of this course.
The course with the restaurant’s chef takes between 30 and 45 minutes and includes a fondue tasting (another 30 minutes) and a drink of your choice. If there are 3 or less participants the course takes place in the kitchen and for 4 or more the lesson takes place in the main area of the restaurant.
The price is CHF50 per person for the basic fondue course. There is also a so-called Suissisme course, which gets you a tasting, followed by a meal and dessert of your choice – for CHF85.
WHEN
From 17h30 – before the restaurant opens
WHERE
Edelweiss Restaurant, Hotel Edelweiss
2, Place de la Navigation, 1201
Geneva
MORE INFO
ACTING CLASSES – GEDS
Not quite sure yet if acting on stage is your thing but still want to be involved? Maybe starting to do play-readings at GEDS is the way to go, as it is an easy-going and friendly way to meet new people and good for getting a feeling for acting. Every 2 weeks you will meet to read through scripts with a group of like-minded people in an informal atmosphere with experienced hands and new faces. The next step could be to take a role on stage and again there are experienced people leading you into your newfound hobby.
WHERE
GEDS- Geneva English Drama Society
Uptown Geneva, Salle Rive
2 rue de la Servette
MORE INFO
PAINTING CLASSES – with Life of Art
LIFE OF ART offers Art Jamming classes in English, where in a group of 10-15 people under the guidance of an artist/ teacher will create a painting in front of you, while guiding you step by step through the different stages and techniques so that you can follow on your own canvas. During this two-hour workshop there will be music playing and you can even have a drink to help bring out the Picasso in you. The cost is CHF55 with all materials supplied and you can take home your canvas at the end. So take some friends along and have lot’s of fun (for adults as well as children or teens) whether you are a beginner, an amateur or professional artist. Life of Art offers many time slots from Monday to Saturday during the day or the evenings so book your class!
WHERE
Life of Art
4, rue Micheli-du-Crest
1205 Geneva
📞 0041-(0)22 525 5232
MORE INFO
FLOWER ARRANGING CLASSES – Rose Jasmin
Do you enjoy working with your hands? Want to reconnect to the present moment and to nature combined with expressing your creativity with beautiful colourful flower arrangements?
ROSE JASMIN offers classes in an easy-going and comfortable environment deigned to bring you lots of joy. No previous experience is needed and in small groups (4-8 people only to guarantee the personal approach) you will enjoy a 2-hour workshop at a cost of CHF120.00 per person which includes fresh and seasonal flowers and greenery, all decorations needed, as well as refreshments.
ROSE JASMIN also organises customised workshops as part of seminars, team building, birthdays or bachelorette parties.
WHERE
Atelier Rose Jasmin
Rue de Neuchâtel
1201 Geneva
0041- (0)76 200 5203 (by appointment only)
MORE INFO
