Mermaid Yoga Birthday Party at Grace + Zen

 We attended as guests of the studio.

Last year a chic new yoga and ballet studio, Grace + Zen, opened in South Orange County.Centrally located in San Juan Capistrano right off the 5 freeway, Grace + Zen offers classes for both boys and girls ages infant to teen as well as camps and parties.

We were so excited about the party packages they offer that we just had to try it out for ourselves.  And let me tell you, the experience was delightful!

Nicki Sulon, owner and founder and certified children’s yoga and dance instructor, understands that busy Moms want options when it comes to throwing birthday parties. Some years a party may be an all out extravaganza; and some years time and energy limit the soiree.  But in any case, as Moms we want it to be a memorable and fun experience for our kids.

Enter Grace + Zen’s party packages, in build your own fashion, ranging from a basic rental of the studio and instructor to an all out, everything included deal.  We enjoyed the all inclusive option, and I must say, when she says all inclusive, Nicki really means it! From invitations to party favors, from the craft during the party to a beautifully decorated dessert table complete with cupcakes and lemonade, she literally provides everything.  The only things I brought to the party were balloons (because we have a love affair with lots and lots of balloons) and some refreshments for my Mom friends who were staying. Oh, and I brought the birthday girls of course!

The details of the decor were on point and the girls loved perusing all the little treasures laid out on the dessert table.

My two girls, turning 7 and 4, wanted a combo birthday party because they still share many of the same friends and interests, and their birthdays are only a couple weeks apart. They chose a mermaid theme (of the several offered) and yoga as their instruction (ballet is also available).

The party started with a craft while guests were arriving.  In keeping with the Mermaid theme, real seashells and trinkets were spread out on the floor and the girls could design their own mini mermaid wand.  It was a big hit!

After the craft, once all guest had arrived and gotten comfortable, the yoga portion of the party commenced.  It was adorable to watch the girls, the vast majority of whom had no prior experience with yoga, learn a new discipline and have fun doing it.  Miss Nikki, as her students call her, was fantastic with the kids (age range at our party from 3-11) and really got them into the mood for yoga by relating it to the theme.  They swam and glided through the water (in a warm up to get loosed up), surfed on surf boards (in the warrior positions), were rocks at the bottom of the ocean (in child’s pose), just to name a few.

Towards the end there was individual time that each child got to show off her own strength in a pose of their choosing.

After this Nikki appeared with a giant bin of dress up clothes and everyone had a fantastic time dressing up, dancing and playing a little freeze dance.

Next was time for cupcakes.  The birthday girls enjoyed their special song, cupcake and pink lemonade in cute cups with straws (all provided and in perfect theme for the party of course.)

After cupcakes, Nikki held a little story time to wrap up the party and calm down some excited (and sugar-hyped) girls, before handing them back to their parents with a cute goodie bag she had prepared.

In addition to birthday parties, Grace + Zen also offers baby showers, girl scout parties, and of course regular weekly classes. The studio is light, airy and fun, and Nikki is warm and welcoming.  Your kids are sure to enjoy their time whether it be for a camp, class or party!

This summer Grace + Zen is kicking off summer camps including Mermaid Yoga Camp, Princess Ballet Camp, Fairy Garden Yoga and Ballet Camp, Mini Hippies Yoga Camp, and Teen Yoga Camp. Weekly long camps are $250 and registration is available online now.

To learn more about Grace + Zen or to view current class offerings, please visit graceandzenoc.com.

Mollie is a wife to a wonderful man and stay at home Mama to three beautiful and energetic little ones – two girls and a boy . She has lived in South Orange County for most of her life and enjoys crafting, running, clean and natural living, party planning, and being involved in her community and church. She believes that being a Mom was and is her highest calling and attempts to give her kids a wide array of different experiences. From soccer cleats to tutus, running races to enjoying the beach, she wants them to grow up with a childhood that impacts their lives for years to come.