Intro to Tea Service and Community Building
Learn tea as a tool to elevate your practice, shape atmosphere, and create belonging
About the course
Intro to Tea Service & Community Building is a foundational course that shows how tea can be used beyond drinking, as a practical tool for hosting, grounding, and bringing people together.
This course sits at the intersection of tea knowledge, simple tea service, Human Garage practice, and community building.
It is designed for immediate use, not theory for theory’s sake.
People may come for the practice, but they return for the feeling of community and belonging that tea helps create.
Why Take This Course?
Integrate tea naturally into practice before and after movement
Help people arrive, settle, and connect more deeply
Use tea to support the nervous system and shared rhythm
Facilitate gatherings with more presence and less effort
Turn practice into community
Your Learning Journey
12 lessons from 5 masters of tea, practice, and connection
Section 1: Tea Fundamentals by Sharyn Johnston
This section provides a clear foundation in tea: what it is, where it comes from, and which teas to start with. It builds confidence and basic understanding needed to work with tea intentionally.
You will learn to:
- Understand what tea is and where it comes from
- Recognize the main categories of true tea and how they differ
- Brew tea correctly with proper water temperature and timing
Section 2: The Art of Tea Ceremony by Barry Boullon
This section breaks down tea ceremony into practical, accessible steps. It covers ritual, structure, tools, and service, making it possible to begin serving tea simply and with confidence.
- What Is Tea
- What Is a Tea Ceremony
- The Origins of the Tea Ceremony
- What Do I Need for a Tea Ceremony
- How Do I Choose a Tea for a Tea Ceremony
- Steps to Perform a Tea Ceremony
Section 3: Tea in Events & Gatherings by Jess Bonin
This section explores how tea shapes atmosphere in events and gatherings. Through real examples, it shows how tea influences energy, pace, and connection without becoming the center of attention.
You will learn to:
- Shape the atmosphere of a room through tea service
- Adapt tea style to different events and group dynamics
- Encourage natural connection in workshops and gatherings
Section 4: Tea, Presence & Community by Gil Petersil
This section introduces tea as a tool for presence, connection, and community. It explores how tea helps people slow down, arrive fully, and create trust and belonging around practice and gatherings.
You will learn to:
- Guide people into presence and ease at the start of a gathering
- Encourage deeper listening, sharing, and authentic connection
- Use tea to support grounding and belonging before and after sessions
Bonus Section: Tea Before & After Practice by Human Garage Founders
Tea is more than a beverage in the Human Garage context.
It supports presence, grounds the body, and creates a shared rhythm before and after practice.
In this course, the Human Garage team explains how tea naturally complements movement, fascia work, and group sessions — and how to integrate it without adding complexity.
Get Your Tea Flavor Wheel
Join the course and get a free Tea Flavor Wheel by Australian Tea Masters — your guide to understanding tea like a pro.
Use it to train your palate, expand your sensory vocabulary, and experience tea on a deeper, more mindful level.
Who Is This Course For?
Human Garage practitioners and facilitators
Event hosts, retreat leaders, and space holders
Community builders and networkers
Anyone curious about tea as a tool for connection, not performance
No prior tea knowledge is required.
Meet Your Guide to the World of Tea
This course is taught by a collaborative group of internationally respected experts in tea, ceremony, events, and community building.
Human Garage Team
Pioneers of fascia-focused movement and wellness practices, demonstrating how tea supports grounding, integration, and group experience in practice sessions.
Sharyn Johnston
Founder of Australian Tea Masters and Head of Education at the World Tea Academy, an internationally recognized tea educator and judge who teaches the foundations of tea and how to confidently begin working with it.
Barry Boullon
Tea ceremony practitioner with 25+ years of experience, owner of the Dragon Tea Temple in Bali, passionate cyclist and acroyogi, who teaches a simple, practical approach to performing a tea ceremony and serving tea right away.
Jess Bonin
Tea educator and practitioner from South Africa, founder of the Alchemy of Tea school, who uses tea as a medium to shape atmosphere, deepen presence, and cultivate meaningful human connection in gatherings, workshops, and curated events
Gil Petersil
Co-founder of ChaTea, global community builder and strategic networking expert who helps entrepreneurs and leaders create meaningful relationships that open opportunities for growth, and impact across international business ecosystems.
Meet Your Guide to the World of Tea
This course is taught by a collaborative group of internationally respected experts in tea, ceremony, events, and community building.
Human Garage Team
Pioneers of fascia-focused movement and wellness practices, demonstrating how tea supports grounding, integration, and group experience in practice sessions.
Sharyn Johnston
Founder of Australian Tea Masters and Head of Education at the World Tea Academy, an internationally recognized tea educator and judge who teaches the foundations of tea and how to confidently begin working with it.
Barry Boullon
Tea ceremony practitioner with 25+ years of experience, owner of the Dragon Tea Temple in Bali, passionate cyclist and acroyogi, who teaches a simple, practical approach to performing a tea ceremony and serving tea right away.
Jess Bonin
Tea educator and practitioner from South Africa, founder of the Alchemy of Tea school, who uses tea as a medium to shape atmosphere, deepen presence, and cultivate meaningful human connection in gatherings, workshops, and curated events
Gil Petersil
Co-founder of ChaTea and a globally recognized community builder, advisor, and speaker, known for creating high-trust communities and conscious networking experiences worldwide.
Why Tea Matters
Garry Lineham
Co-Founder, Human Garage
“Tea creates a natural break in the day. In a world that is always moving, tea gives people permission to pause... The culture around tea naturally encourages slowing down, pausing, and connecting with each other.
Aisha Rodrigue
Community Leader, Human Garage
“Tea rituals engage all of our senses — the smell, the warmth, the taste, the beauty of the cup. It’s a gentle and loving way to come back to your body and to yourself.”
Jason Van Blerk
Co-Founder, Human Garage
“Tea creates a space where connection happens naturally. It gives people something to gather around and talk about beyond just the activity they came for.”
Donation-Based Access to the Course
Contribute what feels aligned and receive full access immediately.
This course is offered on a donation basis to keep it accessible while honoring the value of the knowledge shared.
You’re invited to choose an amount that feels supportive and aligned.
There is no fixed price and no difference in access — all participants receive full course access, regardless of contribution level.
FAQs
Your Questions Brewed to Perfection – We’ve Got Answers!
Do I need any prior knowledge or experience?
No experience is required! The course starts with the basics and guides you step by step through everything you need to know.
Is a tea kit included with the course?
No, a tea kit is not included. However, the course introduces recommended teas to start with, and participants receive access to a special discount on those teas if they choose to purchase them.
How long can I access the course after I finish?
You’ll have lifetime access, so you can revisit the lessons whenever you need a refresher.
Do I need any special equipment?
While having traditional tea tools can enhance your experience, you can start with what you already have at home.
Will I need to submit any assignments or pass a test?
No, this course is designed for self-exploration and personal growth. There are no formal tests, just practical guidance to help you develop your own tea practice.
Is this course donation-based?
Yes. This course is offered on a donation basis. You are invited to contribute an amount that feels aligned and supportive.