This method involves applying solder paste to the pads on the PCB, manually placing your surface mount components into the solder paste, and baking the board in a special oven to solder the entire PCB at once. This method is not really easier than hand soldering for one-off PCBs; you are trading one set of challenges for a different set. If you are interested in using solder paste and the reflow oven to solder your components, please contact Osama Jameel in PRLTA 109.
A great way to practice is to find an old PCB at Goodwill (inside a printer, scanner, camera, floppy drive, etc.) and practice desoldering and soldering components on the board. You can also find old circuit boards in the cabinets in the front of PRLTA 103.