Singapore's coolest classes

Nope, not all Chinese teas are created equal. If you can’t tell your pu’er from your oolong, take a leaf from Tea Chapter’s workshops. There, you’ll be introduced to the various types of tea and their benefits, how to brew them, and the virtues of savouring tea like a wise old shifu. Tea Chapter also offers shorter packages (from $30) that are centred on specific elements of tea appreciation, such as fragrance and colour. 

$150 for four lessons. teachapter.com.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a circus performer swinging on a hoop or a trapeze? Stop dreaming and start doing. Simply Yoga offers courses that give you a first-hand experience of being in a circus – but it’s not all fun and games. These courses tone your body, build core strength and are great all-round workouts. Not for the faint of heart.

$220 for an eight-week circus arts course. simplyyoga.sg.

You know those industrial lighting fixtures that are (were?) all the rage in cool cafés and restaurants? Learn to make ’em yourself and transform your home into a hipster’s fantasy abode. Founded in 2013, Make Your Own conducts a series of workshops on building copper pipe lamps that just ooze masculine charm – perfect for your desk or bedside table.

From $89 per class, materials provided. makeyourown.sg.

The Science Centre Observatory brings you a series of stargazing sessions that let you witness with your own eyes the wonder of the universe. Additionally, attendees can participate in classroom lessons, workshops and public talks. Singapore might be heavily light polluted, but here’s something not many know: the observatory’s equatorial location allows us to view constellations in both the northern and southern celestial hemispheres.

Stargazing sessions: every Fri 7.50-10pm. Astronomy talks: every second Fri of the month 8pm & 9pm. Free. science.edu.sg.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who drink coffee and those who appreciate it with a fervour most reserve for politics and sports. If you’re in the latter camp, good on ya. And if you belong to the former, make a beeline for Common Man Coffee Roasters on any Wednesday, from 2pm to 3pm. That’s when the java gods at the café-slash-wholesaler conduct their cupping sessions for you to sniff and taste a medley of different roasts. You’ll never see the humble cuppa the same way again.

Free. commonmancoffeeroasters.com.

First thing’s first: this isn’t sewing for aunties. Uyii, a homegrown brand that hand-sews a chic range of bags, spreads some embroidery love with two levels of sewing classes and other workshops. Opt for the Beginner Sewing Class if you’ve never threaded a needle before. You’ll learn how to sew a coaster, drawstring bag, cushion covers and pouches over ten lessons, conducted in either the Uyii Studio in Sin Ming or the Sew Fun! @ Art Loft space on Middle Road.

From $460 for ten classes, materials provided. uyii.com.sg.

Give an edge to your regular yoga classes with Stand Up Paddle. There have been many added twists to this ancient Hindu discipline, such as performing poses under high temperatures, and aerial and acrobatic moves. Now comes the time to swap your yoga mat for a paddleboard and drift 25 metres out to sea. This new variety of classes, which originated from the US, adds fun to your fitness routine while challenging every single muscle in the body. For yogis and yoginis of all levels who don’t fear getting soaked.

From $60 per class. supschool.com.sg.

If perfume to you means a trip to Sephora, the ladies behind Je T’aime Perfumery Singapore will probably wrinkle their noses. They take their scents seriously, offering classes and such on how to design your own personalised perfumes. With more than 400 rare and top-grade ingredients imported from the world over, Je T’aime can guide you on scents to match any occasion. But we recommend you start with the Beginner’s Perfume Workshop, which introduces you to the fundamentals such as the ‘perfume pyramid’ and the ‘fragrance wheel’.

From $125 per class, materials provided. jetaime-singapore.com.

Pole-dancing is so 2010. For a dance that’s a little more exotic, try ‘Ori-Tahiti. The traditional dance from Tahiti, with its flowing arm movements and enough sashaying hips to make Shakira go googly-eyed, is taught here by native Tahitian Heiata Lee-Dupuich. Rather than a sweaty workout session, these classes focus on the culture and rituals of the dance – but that’s not to say ‘Ori-Tahiti is easy. Lee-Dupuich claims the movements are great to train the core, glutes and legs.

$300 for 12 lessons. oritahiti-sg.com.

Admit it, you’ve fantasised about performing crazy parkour stunts in this concrete jungle we call home. But before you break your back, learn the basics from Superfly Monkey Dragons. The team of traceurs (that’s what the urban Spider-Men dub themselves) has classes for everyone, even kids. Most classes – they’re split into four categories: conditioning, technique, manoeuvring and family – are conducted outdoors, giving you a real dose of this fast-paced and impossibly cool looking martial arts.

From $10 per trial class. superflymonkeydragons.com.

For a cooking class with a difference, try out Cookery Magic’s Pulau Ubin Kampong Cooking Escapade. Founder Ruqxana Vasanwala takes you to Madam Kamariah’s kitchen in a 100-year-old village on the offshore island, where you’ll learn to prepare the little-known Malay dish of Nasi Kerabu. Why Ubin? Because there you can easily forage for the 30 wild jungle herbs the recipe requires. Plus, spending a morning away from the gridlock of MRT commuters sounds pretty magical in itself.

$140 per class. cookerymagic.com.

When it comes to the art and science of electronic music, E-TracX is where it’s at. The academy has been training dance music padawans for 13 years now, with a range of classes on DJing, production and turntablism. Those with zero experience working the decks should sign up for the basic Club Mixing DJ workshop, where you’ll be acquainted with turntables, CDJ systems, controllers and mixers – all you need to get the floor in raptures. Well, maybe in a few years.

From $180 per workshop. e-tracx.com.