Essential Oils 101
2018-05-03 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Essential oils are concentrated aromatic plant extracts used to support wellness, enhance mood, fragrance a room, repel insects, and encourage healing. In this class essential oil enthusiasts will explore 5 popular essential oils for their therapeutic uses in and around the home. Learn how to safely and effectively use essential oils for yourself and your family.
Participants will make a therapeutic inhaler based on their individual constitution. Usage discussions will include allergies, asthma, pregnancy, babies, children, first aid, pets, acne, nausea, insomnia, safety, teenagers, seizure-disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, cancer, pain, stress, bug bites, headaches, and more.
Students should refrain from wearing fragrances on their body or clothing to class to avoid interferring with organoleptic testing for themselves and other students. Class size is limited to ensure a quality educational experience for each participant.
Please note that this is not a marketing class but an educational class taught by Clinical Aromatherapist, Amy Kreydin. Amy has been studying complementary medicine for the past 22 years. She practices at her home-based studio specializing in women’s health, pediatrics, pain management, and digestive disorders. Amy offers professional training in aromatherapy and reflexology, and runs community classes like this one year-round.

Summer Skincare - Body Butters & Scrubs
2018-06-02 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Summertime is all about the element of fire – hot, intense, light, sharp, penetrating. In this Apothecary Session we will formulate to keep cool and hydrated all summer long!
In Ayurveda the dosha Pitta, governed by fire, is prone to excess in the summer months leading to sunburns, acne, hot and achey joints, ingrown hair, diarrhea, exhaustion, hot flashes, and night sweats. The penetrative quality of Pitta can cause skin to lose hydration quickly, which leads to buildup of dead skin cells and prevents moisturizing products from being as effective.
Using master formulations we’ll make:

Salt Scrub Base – great for sloughing off dead skin cells and soothing ingrown hairs
Sugar Scrub Base – also great for sloughing off dead skin cells, gentler on delicate skin of the torso and face
Body Butter Base – silky soft body butters soothe, protect, and nourish the skin
Beach Hair Spritzer – a light hair spritz designed to bring moisture and minerals while controlling frizz

Using high quality aromatic extracts, oils, butters, salts, and sugars we will customize these master formulations to fit with your constitutional goals and needs accountaing for each of the doshas:

Vata – governed by the element of air is creative and changeable; prone to dry skin and hair and generally runs cool
Pitta – governed by the element of fire is focused and intellectual; prone to skin rashes and generally runs hot
Kapha – governed by the element of earth is thoughtful and steady; prone to oily skin and water retention

This is a hands-on class introducing participants to raw ingredients like African shea and kpangnan butters, Moraccan Rhassoul clay, Amazonian cupuacu butter, and Indian kokum butter.
Class fee is $85 and includes all aromatics, botanicals, and raw ingredients used in the classroom. Participants will take home formulas crafted to their individual needs. No prior experience is necessary to attend. Space is limited to six participants to ensure a quality educational experience for all.
Please note: due to small class size, cancellations will must be given 72 hours in advance to receive a refund. In the event of class cancellation all participants will receive a full refund within fourteen (14) days of cancellation.

Ouch! Summertime Aromatic First Aid
2018-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Aromatic first aid to the rescue! Summertime can be rough for some of us – bug bites, sunburn, heat rashes, bumps and bruises, ingrown toenails, poison ivy, swimmer’s ear, and acne. Let’s look at some holistic approaches to soothe these common summer maladies in this Apothecary Session. Participants will get hands-on experience preparing remedies that the whole family will welcome this season!
Together we’ll create:

Biting insect repellent
Skin soothing spray gel
and your choice of either a nail oil or an ear oil for ingrown nails or swimmer’s ear

Class fee is $45 and includes all aromatics, botanicals, and raw ingredients used in the classroom. Participants will take home formulas crafted to their individual needs. No prior experience is necessary to attend. Space is limited to six (6) participants to ensure a quality educational experience for all.
Please note: due to small class size, cancellations will must be given 72 hours in advance to receive a refund. In the event of class cancellation all participants will receive a full refund within fourteen (14) days of cancellation.

Aromatic Therapies in the Childbearing Year
2018-07-19 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Starting or adding to a family is a natural life event for many women. This Apothecary Session will explore ways to support the mother and baby during each trimester of pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and postpartum. We’ll discuss indicated, contraindicated, and cautioned aromatics and best practices to inspire confidence working with these concentrated plant extracts with the special population.
This is a hands-on event and participants will learn basic blending and formulating of aromatics, working with essential oils, absolutes, CO2 extracts, and hydrosols. During this session we will look at aromatics to support:

preconception – preparing for pregnancy
first trimester – morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, fatigue, bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infection
second trimester – acne, itchy or painful stretch marks, PUPPP, back pain, gestational diabetes, muscle cramps
third trimester – acid reflux, constipation, symphysis pubis dysfunction, edema, hypertension
labor and birth – prodromal and stalled labor, precipitous labor, pain perception
puerperium – breastfeeding, perineal and cesarean healing, newborn care, mood support

This session is appropriate for parents-to-be, aunts, grandmothers, birth and postpartum doulas, midwives, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and anyone who provides support during the childbearing year. Apothecary Sessions are smaller classes designed to allow maximum exposure to hands-on content and a supportive learning environment. Cancellations will be accepted up to 7 days before the scheduled class.*
About Amy: Amy Kreydin has attended over a hundred births in the last two decades and has worked with thousands of expecting parents. She is a Clinical Aromatherapist with an advanced diploma in Aromatic Medicine and is also a Board Certified Reflexologist.
*On-call during the scheduled class? Let Amy know at the time of registration for special instructions on late cancellation for those attending a birth.

Introduction to Aromatherapy
2018-08-07 10:00 - 2018-08-28 14:00 UTC | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Four Week Course: Introduction to Aromatherapy
Running Tuesdays, 10am-2pm August 7th through 28th.
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils, hydrosols, and aromatic extracts to restore or maintain wellness of mind, body, and spirit. This course is designed to give students a foundation in the holistic and therapeutic modality of aromatherapy.
This class series covers:

Basic aromatherapy skills – selecting aromatics, therapeutic combinations (aka “blending”), types of applications;
Safety – contraindications, medication interactions, special considerations;
History – the rich history of botanicals as allies in health and wellness;
Extraction methods – we’ll look at how aromatic plants are extracted, including a live distillation.

This is an introductory level course and no prerequisites are required to attend. This class series is ideal for those looking for natural wellness options for themselves and loved ones, as well as practitioners who want to better understand methodologies of incorporating aromatic therapies into an existing practice like massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, or herbalism.

Hydrosol Distillation Class
2019-05-20 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Hydrosols are a delightful part of the world of aromatherapy! Join me for an introductory class on distilling hydrosols. In this 4-hour class participants will explore the process of distillation from preparation of the still and botanicals through to collecting the hydrosol and, in some cases, the essential oil. Using a pyrex glass still allows participants to see the entire distillation process as the steam travels up through the botanical material and returns to its liquid state via the dual-chambered condensing tube.
Class fee is $55 and includes the textbook ‘Aromatic Waters’, and a 2 ounce bottle of hydrosol to take home. We’ll formulate with hydrosols during various phases of distillation and enjoy a potluck lunch. After lunch we’ll enjoy an aromatic dessert flavored with a hydrosol.
Registration is limited to six (6) participants to ensure hands-on time for everyone. Cancellations are accepted fourteen (14) days before class. In the event the instructor has to cancel refunds will be given within fourteen (14) days.
Amy Kreydin is a clinically trained aromatherapist through R.J. Buckle Associates and an aromatic medicine practitioner. She distills hydrosols from her apothecary garden and teaches a course on hydrosols as part of her Professional Aromatherapy Certification program. Amy is the author of Aromatic Waters: Therapeutic, Cosmetic, and Culinary Hydrosol Applications.

Writing Aromatic Botanical Monographs
2019-08-22 09:00 - 2019-08-26 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
In this two-part live class we’ll be studying the art and science of writing a botanical monograph. We have preselected to collaborate on a monograph for the essential oil of Lavender. Follow along in the live Zoom meetings as we flesh out what data we want in our monograph and how we want it to look. In between classes you can draw from resources to add to this monograph. This class is ideal for any aromatherapy enthusiast who would enjoy focusing on a single aromatic botanical to gather data on safety, usage, botany, and more!
Join us live on:

Thursday, August 22nd, 9am-11am CDT
Monday, August 26th, 9am-11am CDT

Those who cannot make live classes are welcome to view the recorded lessons and participate in the monograph we all are working on in Google Docs.

Aromatic Therapies and the Skin
2019-10-10 10:00 - 2019-10-31 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
This module from the 200-Hour Aromatherapy Certificate Program is designed to give a comprehensive overview of aromatics for the integumentary system. In the anatomy and physiology portion we will explore the skin with an eye towards supporting it in times of trauma and dis-ease. In the pharmacology portion we will look at topical applications through the lens of dermal absorption. The materia medica portion will cover the properties of lipid plant oils and butters. The materia aromatica will explore the chemistry of select aromatics. To round out this module students will receive a foundational overview of cosmeceutical formulating – creating their own skincare formulations to achieve desired outcomes.
This 16 hour module is composed of two (2) four-hour lessons via live Zoom with recordings available for later viewing, and two (2) four-hour lessons via practicum here in the Northwest Austin studio.
Fall 2019 classes are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, October 10th, 10am-2pm via Zoom
Thursday, October 17th, 10am-2pm via Zoom
Thursday, October 24th, 10am-2pm in studio
Thursday, October 31st, 10am-2pm in studio

It is recommended students have taken a 12-20 hour foundational class on aromatic therapies prior to attending this class.

Speaker at Spa in Me Retreat
2019-10-26 08:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | McKinney Roughs Nature Park, 1884 TX-71, Cedar Creek, TX, 78612, United States
I’m honored to be teaching at this year’s Spa in Me Retreat, hosted by the lovely Sandra Foreman, a leader in women’s self-care wellness coaching out at the beautiful McKinney Roughs Nature Park. This retreat is all about building your self-care toolkit and refilling your cup amongst like-minded, hard-working women.
For my portion of the retreat I’m leading a hands-on class on formulating aromatherapeutic shower fizzies – a tool I use in wellness plans for my clients to unwind from a hectic day or set the right tone at the start of your day. I chose this activity because it gets our creative juices flowing, we get a little messy – don’t worry, I’m bringing gloves! – and everyone walks away with a wellness tool they can whip up for themselves and their loved ones year-round.
Sandra interviewed me recently in her podcast show about this event and you can find the recording on Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Speaker at Moonflower Festival
2019-11-02 | Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
I am honored to be teaching at this year’s Moonflower Festival – a delightful event for plant lovers! I will be giving a hands-on demonstration of the process of distilling aromatic plants using my beloved glass still. See the picture below for a special discount to register for this not-to-be-missed event held in Zilker Park.
Many Central Texas botanicals lend themselves to distillation, from invasives like mimosa and honeysuckle, to culinary herbs like rosemary and oregano, to our local Juniperus species. Clinical Aromatherapist and Aromatic Medicine Practitioner Amy Kreydin will demonstrate the process of distillation using a clear, pyrex glass still so participants can see each phase of distillation. Botanical formulators use hydrosols in cosmetics to hydrate, nourish, and tone the integumentary system. As botanical allies hydrosols can be incorporated into wellness plans to support mind, body, and spirit through oral, dermal, and inhaled applications. In the kitchen, hydrosols enhance the taste and aroma of food and beverages. Explore how this type of botanical extraction can enhance your personal self-care routine as well as your botanical practice on multiple levels!

Immune Health and Aromatherapy - Module Four
2020-02-06 09:00 - 2020-02-27 13:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
16 hour module covering anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, lymphatic, and immune systems, and materia aromatica on select aromatics. Prerequisite is completion or active enrollment in a 200-hour Aromatherapy program.
This module features two live video lectures followed by two live formulating practicum lectures:

Thursday, February 6th, 9am-1pm live Zoom lecture
Thursday, February 13th, 9am-1pm live Zoom lecture
Thursday, February 20th, 9am-1pm formulating practicum in the studio (live Zoom and recording available)
Thursday, February 27th, 9am-1pm formulating practicum in the studio (live Zoom and recording available)

Aromatic Beauty Care - Apothecary Session
2020-02-14 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Join aromatherapist Amy Kreydin for a fun and educational Apothecary Session that’s all about the face, neck, and décolleté! In this hands-on class we’re making skincare products using an Ayurvedic approach to understanding our constitutions, or doshas. This class is all about sourcing high-quality botanical and aromatic ingredients.
Participants will:

Explore their doshic skincare needs using a questionnaire designed by Amy;
Familiarize themselves with key ingredients ranging from lipids like oils and butters to aromatics like essential oils and CO2 extracts;
Design three take-home products that are formulated in class valued at $120 retail.

This is a unique opportunity to explore the raw ingredients that go into formulating natural skincare products. Class fee is $85 and includes all aromatics, botanicals, and raw ingredients used in the classroom. Participants will take home formulas crafted to their individual needs. No prior experience is necessary to attend. Space is limited to eight (8) participants to ensure a quality educational experience for all.
Please note: due to small class size, cancellations will must be given seven (7) days in advance to receive a refund. In the event of class cancellation all participants will receive a full refund within fourteen (14) days of cancellation.

Home Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
2020-03-06 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
In this 75 minute webinar participants will explore natural approaches to viral infections using evidence-informed practices.
We’ll explore:

Prevention approaches through hand and respiratory hygiene, the role of stress management, and food as medicine.
Energetics of a viral infection, e.g. knowing the difference between a dry cough and a wet cough and how they are treated differently.
Medicine making for the home-user, including herbal honeys and cough syrups with common pantry items.
Household disinfection plan to prevent cross-contamination.

Answers to common questions such as:

How much alcohol do you need to make a hand sanitizer that actually works to neutralize germs?
What’s an effective approach for autoimmune and chronic inflammation to prevent sending my loved one into a healing crisis with immune-stimulating herbs and aromatics?
When do I dose antivirals like elderberry and can I overdo it with them?
All the herbs are sold out or will take to long to get, what can I use from my kitchen?

Introduction to Hydrosols
2020-03-26 10:00 - 2020-04-16 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Four Week Course: Introduction to Hydrosols
2020 SPRING SEMESTER: Running Thursdays, March 26th-April 16th, with no breaks.
Hydrosols are the aromatic distillate obtained in steam/hydro distillation of aromatic plants. Used in aromatherapy to restore or maintain wellness of mind, body, and spirit, hydrosols have a variety of applications and uses. Students will participate in live distillations of botanicals and formulate take-home products for personal use.
Course Goal: Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to: understand and employ hydrosols in cosmetic, culinary, and therapeutic applications. Understand and explain safety, contraindications, and cautions of hydrosol use to the community. Intro to Hydrosols is part of The Barefoot Dragonfly 200-hour practitioner course designed to prepare students for a career path as an aromatic therapies practitioner, or aromatherapist. No prerequisite is required for students to attend this course.
Class Location: The Barefoot Dragonfly studio located at 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX 78729.
Class Hours: 16
Required Materials:

Aromatic Waters: Therapeutic, Cosmetic, and Culinary Hydrosol Applications by Amy Kreydin – paperback copies available for purchase on the first day of class in the studio or ebook available through Amazon Kindle.

Writing paper and utensils should be brought to each class.

Students should refrain from wearing perfume or scented products to the classroom to avoid disrupting organoleptic tests for themselves and classmates. Light snacks are provided, students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.
General Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Identify the extraction and production methods and quality control for authentic, pure hydrosols and the differences between artisanal hydrosols and biowaste water in the production of essential oils.
Demonstrate organoleptic testing process for both taste and odor of authentic hydrosols.
Formulate cosmetic, culinary, and therapeutic products featuring hydrosols.
List scenarios when hydrosols would be indicated instead of essential oils for an aromatic therapy application.
Demonstrate knowledge of current information on safety guidelines, including special guidelines for children, pregnancy, and the ill.

General Class Structure: The class will be conducted once a week on Thursdays between 9:00am and 1:00pm. During these practicum sessions, students will develop their practical skills and discuss any challenges they encounter with respect to new material.
Methods of Instruction: The class will be taught with a combination of audiovisual presentations using overhead projector, whiteboard or paper chart, lecture, demonstration, and laboratory.

Virtual Open House
2020-07-28 18:00 - 19:15 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
Interested in studying Reflexology and/or Aromatherapy? Join us via Zoom to learn about these two professional courses taught by Amy Kreydin, ARCB Board Certified Reflexologist and CCAP Clinical Aromatherapist. Meet Amy, find out about upcoming course dates, and get answers to your course-related questions!

Research Hacks Every Wellness Practitioner Should Know
2020-08-10 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
Do you ever feel like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack when trying to find research relevant to your profession? Are you tired of the click-bait headlines offering no real data on new research conducted in your area of expertise? Join me for a lunch-and-learn webinar tutorial that takes you beyond opinion news and puts research at your fingertips!
Registrants will be sent a link to join the webinar through Zoom online. If you cannot attend the event register to receive a follow-up email with the recording and handout PDF.
Please note, this webinar is open to wellness practitioners. Those who will especially benefit from examples will be in bodywork and botanical medicine fields but the webinar is open to other wellness professions.

Introduction to Aromatic Therapies
2020-10-19 09:00 - 2020-12-07 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils, hydrosols, and aromatic extracts to restore or maintain wellness of mind, body, and spirit. This course is designed to give students a foundation in the holistic and therapeutic modality of aromatherapy. Introduction to Aromatic Therapies does not require a prerequisite and is recommended for those considering a career path in aromatic therapies as well as those interested in expanding their general education for home and personal use.
This course starts Monday, October 19th and runs for eight weeks online, ending on December 7th 2020. Lessons are presented weekly using recorded lecture, PDF handouts, and resource links.
Required Text for Module One: Authentic Aromatherapy: Essential Oils and Blends for Health, Beauty, and Home by Sharon Falsetto, ISBN 978-1510706484.
Course Outline:

Ancient Origins of Aromatherapy – the rich history of aromatic botanicals spans thousands of years. This lesson’s activity has participants using a recipe originating from the times of plague in France.
Modern Aromatherapy Origins – starting with the renaissance of aromatherapy in the 1900s through to today’s practice of this modality.
Types of Aromatics – essential oils, absolutes, hydrosols, CO2 extracts, oh my! This lesson explores different kinds of aromatic plant extractions and how they’re produced.
Quality, Purity, and Ethics in Sourcing – essential oils are not immune to overharvesting, adulateration, and improper handling techniques. This lesson explores some of the most common challenges in this area.
Routes of Absorption – essential oils can be applied to the skin, inhaled, or taken internally. This lesson looks at these different routes of absorption.
Cautions, Contraindications, and Safety Considerations – an overview of photoxicity, condition and medication interactions, and other safety issues including special populations like very ill and frail, pregnancy, and pediatrics.
The Aromatic Monograph – an in-depth look at profiles of aromatics and how to create your own.
The Aromatic Monograph Continued – continuation of writing an essential oil profile.

Introduction to Aromatherapy for Reflexologists
2020-10-23 09:00 - 2020-10-24 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
In this 16-hour hands-on class students will explore the art of aromatic therapies and their role in the Reflexology practice.

Students will formulate antimicrobial sprays for sanitation and cleanliness in the treatment room.
Students will formulate room diffuser and topical formulations to enhance Reflexology sessions.
Students will develop aromatic wellness plans for common complaints seen in the Reflexology practice.

Classes are held at The Barefoot Dragonfly studio on Friday and Saturday, October 23rd and 24th, from 9am-5pm.
This introductory course does not qualify a practitioner in aromatherapy, students will explore and discuss the requirements to practice as an aromatherapist should they wish to further their education.
Prerequisite: a minimum of 20 hours of Reflexology studies.
A special notice to those studying aromatherapy. If you are taking both certifications with The Barefoot Dragonfly you will not need to attend this live course as you’ll receive a more thorough training in these areas in the 200-Hour Aromatherapy Certificate Course. If you are studying elsewhere you will need to prove core competencies in these areas and have proof of hands-on formulation training as part of your course to receive credit and skip this class. Please note, this isn’t a class on non-GMP formulations such as adding tea tree essential oil to a spritz bottle of water and wiping down your equipment.

Business Planning
2021-09-08 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
In this four-hour live class held via videoconference students explore setting up a practice. It is recommended to get a copy of Cherie Sohnen-Moe’s Business Mastery: A Guide for Creating a Fulfilling, Thriving Business and Keeping it Successful.
Topics explore to include:

Business and Professional Development Plan
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Insurance and Association Memberships
Fee Schedules
Ethics and Confidentiality
Best Practice Standards

The Fall 2021 Business Planning Class is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1st, 9am-1pm via Zoom

Holistic Health Consulting & Creating a Wellness Plan
2021-09-15 09:00 - 2021-09-22 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
Reflexologists and aromatherapists provide holistic services that address the unique needs of their individual clients. In this two-part, 8-hour live videoconference class Amy Kreydin presents an approach to consulting and developing wellness plans from a whole-client perspective – mind, body, and spirit. In part one, participants will explore constitutional theories related to Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Ancient Greek Medicine to gather the big picture of their client. In part two, participants will work on drafting wellness plans that nurture that client’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
This course is offered as two, 4-hour Zoom videoconference classes held live on Wednesday, September 8th, 9am-1pm, and Wednesday, September 15th, 9am-1pm. Prerequisites are advanced reflexology and/or aromatherapy students with a minimum of 50 hours of study, or graduates of a professional reflexology or aromatherapy course with a minimum of 200 hours of study. This is not a substitute for a health coach type of course. It is intended to supplement and enhance the skills of healing arts practitioners in these two areas of study. Recordings of the live classes will be uploaded for review – attendance on the live dates is mandatory to receive credit towards the aromatherapy and reflexology courses offered by The Barefoot Dragonfly.

Art of Aromatherapy! at the Dougherty Arts Center
2022-08-31 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
The City of Austin has invited me to give a presentation on aromatherapy at the Dougherty Arts Center downtown. The event, Date Night @ DAC: Art of Aromatherapy!, is free, registration is encouraged.
Participants will explore the art and science of aromatherapy, and then create an aromatherapy necklace to take home.
Find out more, and reserve your place on their Eventbrite page.

Holistic Foot Care Workshop
2023-06-24 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
In this workshop we’re letting our feet tell us how to better care for them. Our feet are constantly communicating with the brain via specialized nerve receptors. When something is amiss we can suffer from pain, discomfort, changes in joints and tendons, as well as funky skin and nail issues.
As a reflexologist of nearly two decades let me help you create a better relationship with your feet! We’ll work together to listen to the messages the feet are trying to communicate through movement, pain, tension, and skin. Then we’ll practice with stretches and formulations that can help address some of these challenges.
We’ll cover:

Foot Type – are you a slope, a square, a mountain, or a plateau?
Gait and Stance – what stories can your feet tell you about how you walk and how you stand and sit?
Footwear – are your shoes moving with you or against you?
Foot Gym – what are the best stretches for your feet?
Foot Spa – using nature’s own botanicals we’ll formulate bespoke remedies for soothing, nurturing, and thanking our hard-working feet.

Walk away feeling inspired and your feet feeling nourished!
What: Holistic Foot Care Workshop
When: Saturday, June 24th, 10am-3pm (bring a sack lunch)
Where: The Barefoot Dragonfly studio at 7601 Pheasant Rock, Austin, TX 78729
Registration: $85.00
Why: Your feet are one of your most precious assets, take care of them and they’ll take care of you!

Foot and Hand Spa - Apothecary Session
2023-11-11 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Give your feet and hands some much-deserving rest and rejuvenation in this four-hour workshop featuring aromatherapy, herbalism, reflexology, and hydrotherapy.
For the hands we’ll explore:

Nail serums to hydrate and strengthen cuticles
Aromatic soy wax heat therapy for repetitive use strain, arthritic joints, and to lock in moisture
Self-care reflexology techniques

For the feet we’ll explore:

Natural scrubs to exfoliate and rejuvenate
Herbal foot soaks to soothe tired, achey feet
Balm to nourish and bring ease for a nightly self-care reflexology routine

You’ll make bespoke nail serum, foot tea, and balm to take home using available supplies on hand. Bring your hands and feet as they are – no need for pedis and manis the day before!
Class fee is $85 and includes all aromatics, botanicals, and raw ingredients used in the studio. Participants will take home bespoke formulations crafted to their individual needs. No prior experience is necessary to attend though wellness practitioners are welcome to attend. Space is limited to eight (8) participants to ensure a quality educational experience for all. Please note: cancellation notice
Please note: cancellation notices must be given 7 days in advance to receive a full refund for this class. In the event of class cancellation all participants will receive a full refund within thirty (30) days of cancellation.

Reflexology & Essential Oils for Anxiety and Depression - LONDON
2024-09-28 10:00 - 2024-09-29 17:00 (Europe/London) | Prideaux House, 10 Church Crescent, London, E9 7DL, United Kingdom
Enhance your therapeutic toolkit with a hands-on workshop bringing together the powerful practices of reflexology and aromatherapy to help manage anxiety and depression. Anxiety disorders affect over 8 million people in the UK (Mental Health UK), and about 280 million people worldwide struggle with depression (WHO). The need for effective, whole-person treatment approaches has never been greater.
When combining reflexology and essential oil therapy, we amplify the benefits of each modality, providing a deeply powerful and comprehensive approach to supporting our clients. Direct inhalation of essential oils quickly transmits these chemical messengers from the olfactory bulb to the regions of the brain that play a key role in emotional responses, learning, memory, and social interaction (Arisi et al 2012). Reflexology’s targeted pressure techniques send waves of relaxation and comfort throughout the nervous system. Together, these therapies create a synergistic effect, offering greater relief and support than when used individually.
In this supportive workshop, you’ll gain advanced skills and knowledge to support your clients’ mental health and emotional well-being. Through detailed instruction and hands-on training, you’ll learn how to effectively combine these modalities in your professional practice, making a real difference in the lives of those you care for.
Who should attend?

Reflexologists, and massage therapists seeking to expand their skill set and confidence in holistic mental health.
Mental health professionals looking to integrate somatic therapies into their practice.
Phytotherapy practitioners wanting to enhance care plans with pressure point techniques and fast-acting aromatics.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify the common symptoms and causes of anxiety and depression.
Recognize the physiological and psychological effects of mood disorders on the body and mind.
Explain the physiological effects of reflexology and essential oil therapy.
Create a personalized treatment plan using reflexology and aromatherapy to address specific symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.
Formulate a bespoke personal inhaler based on the treatment plan.
Educate clients on the benefits of combined reflexology and essential oils for mental wellness.
Provide self-care recommendations for clients to use at home.
Ensure safety through identification of contraindications and safety precautions when working with concentrated plant aromatics.

About Amy
Amy Kreydin, Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist, has been in private practice since 2004. Kreydin received her certificate as a Certified Reflexologist from the Palmer Institute in Salem, MA in 2004, and was awarded her board certificate in Reflexology from the American Reflexology Certification Board in 2006. She trained at a Harvard teaching hospital in Boston, MA and obtained her Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner (CCAP) in 2011. In 2016 she completed her advanced diploma in Aromatic Medicine. Since 2022 Amy has run a weekly group in a psychiatric and behavioral hospital working with a range of mood disorders and ages, in her ‘aromatherapy group’ patients use a combination of self-care reflexology techniques and direct inhalation of essential oils. Kreydin is passionate about whole body wellness and loves helping folks reach their wellness goals to live an abundant, vibrant, and balanced life.
Course Cost:
$100.00 deposit with balance of £260.00 due on the day.

Aromatic Breast Care - Apothecary Session
2025-04-30 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
In this hands-on apothecary session participants will explore using aromatic botanicals for breast wellness. We’ll delve into the energetics of the 4th (Heart) Chakra, lymphatics, breast health and dis-ease patterns, and an apothecary of resources to support breast health.
Participants will:
*Explore the energetics of the Heart Chakra in the Ayurvedic tradition;
*Discuss breast health and dis-ease including cysts, inflammation, cancer, cycle-related pain, mastitis, surgery, and lactation;
*Familiarize themselves with key ingredients including essential oils, plant lipids, hydrosols, and CO2 extracts;
*Participate in an aromatic plant distillation to create a hydrosol for take-home use;
*Design a bespoke breast health take-home kit.
Class fee is $85 and includes access to an apothecary of aromatics, botanicals, and raw ingredients used in the classroom. Participants will take home a bespoke breast oil formulated for their unique health goals and some hydrosol we distill together. No prior experience is necessary to attend. Space is limited to eight (8) participants to ensure a quality educational experience for all.
Please note: due to small class size, cancellations must be given seven (7) days in advance to receive a refund. In the event of class cancellation all participants will receive a full refund within fourteen (14) days of cancellation.

Autumn Equinox Apothecary Session
2025-09-22 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | The Barefoot Dragonfly, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX, 78729, United States
Fall is all about celebrating the harvest, storing up the goodness from the sunshine summer days, releasing physical and emotional baggage, and bringing a sense of balance to our inner and outer worlds. In this Apothecary Session we’ll look to caring for our Lungs, Large Intestine, Skin, and the Chinese element of Metal.

What You’ll Learn:

Living with the season: On the autumnal equinox, occurring September 22nd this year, day and night are equal in length everywhere on the planet. The sun rises precisely in the east, arcs through the sky for 12 hours, and sets exactly in the west, giving us 12 hours of darkness. This is the start of a 6-month period when yin and darkness expand, peaking at the winter solstice in December, and then contracting until they equalize once again at the spring equinox.
Oxymels: Food as medicine, in which we combine honey, apple cider vinegar, and herbs to make oxymels. These tangy, sweet concoctions are known for their medicinal benefits and versatile uses in cooking and wellness routines.
Aromastick: Personal aromatherapy inhalers are designed to bring aromatic plant extracts right to the nose, and occasionally the mouth, in an accessible way. About the size of a chapstick container, they’re very portable, and discrete to use.

Body oil: Nourish the skin after a summer of intense heat and ultraviolet light exposure with a bespoke body oil. The skin is the largest organ of the body, it protects, regulates temperature, defends against pathogens, as well as expressing mood and personality.
Botanicals: Gain insights into some of my favorite plants for this season, such as — eucalyptus to deepen the breath, ginger to warm the digestive tract, bacopa to aid in brain function as we sort memories, and native jojoba to protect and nourish the skin.
Hands-On Creation: You’ll have the opportunity to select from a variety of ingredients, crafting blends that suit your personal tastes and needs. Together we’ll create an oxymel, aromastick, and body oil.

Workshop Details:

Date and Time: Monday, September 22nd, 9am to 12pm noon
Location: The Barefoot Dragonfly LLC, 7601 Pheasant Rock Road, Austin, TX
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $65.00
Materials Provided: All ingredients, jars, labels, and instructional handouts
What to Bring: A notebook if you’d like to jot down notes or additional recipes

Join us for this engaging and educational session, and leave with a newfound appreciation for the ancient craft of herbal preparations, along with your own handcrafted products.
Register Now to secure your spot, space is limited to eight (8) participants: https://l.bttr.to/9V0G2
Please note: due to small class size, cancellations must be given seven (7) days in advance to receive a refund. In the event of class cancellation all participants will receive a full refund within fourteen (14) days of cancellation.

Medicine Making and Food Handling:
This session involves handling and preparing ingredients the community will be consuming. We will be practicing hygiene, surface disinfection, equipment sanitization, and clean air practices together (UVC sterilizing lights and HEPA filters will be in use). The following PPE will be made available for all participants but you are always welcome to bring your own:

🖐️ Nitrile and vinyl gloves in medium adult size
👩‍🍳 Smocks and aprons as well as a selection of caps, hair nets, and hair bands
🦠 EPA-registered disinfectants including thymol plant-based, and vinegar-salt-water based hypochlorous acid

Thanks for helping make this a fun and safe activity for all!
