Unicorn Yoga and Activities for Kids
Do you have a special unicorn in your life that is kind, creative and magical? Unicorns sparkle our imagination with something that is unreal, yet the reality is possible within each one of us.
In my 20+ years of teaching children, 10 of those as a children’s yoga teacher, it never ceases to amaze me how much children love unicorns. I was fascinated with them as a child, and even had a collection of unicorn memorabilia. It is a pleasure to continue to inspire this love and magic in the present with the children I teach. Unicorn Yoga is a popular class theme, and highly requested by children.
Here are a few fun facts about Unicorns!
Unicorns live together in a family called a “blessing”
Unicorns pair nicely with rainbows since both are rarely seen
Unicorns are pure love, kind and intelligent
Unicorns get their energy from absorbing the light of the moon with their horns
Unicorns are naturally kind and peaceful, however they can be fierce warriors when projecting their families
Unicorns live in a forest with other woodland animals and magical creatures
Learn more and enjoy this book, “Goodnight Unicorn: A Magical Parody,” by Pearl E. Horne
Here are 5 Unicorn Yoga Poses & Activities for Kids
Heart Warming Meditation - Let’s begin our Unicorn Yoga practice with Heart Warming Meditation. Below you will find a podcast player where you can listen to Heart Warming Meditation with Ms. Brandon. Consider following the meditation with Heart Circles (Seated Circles) to warm up the body as well as the heart.
Benefits:
Promotes positive emotions like love, joy, contentment, and gratitude
Counteract negative emotions and decrease stress levels by focusing on positive intentions.
Practicing self-compassion can reduce self-criticism and cultivate a more accepting attitude towards oneself.
Cultivates a sense of connection and kindness towards others, leading to improved interpersonal relationships.
Unicorn Warrior Pose - Now, let’s practice Unicorn Yoga! Begin with Warrior Two pose. Pretend to be a unicorn in the forest searching for friends to play with.
Benefits:
Strengthens muscles in the legs, core shoulders and arms
Increases flexibility in shoulders and hips.
Improves balance and posture
Enhances mental focus and concentration
Builds stamina and endurance
Increases body awareness and mind-body connection
Grounding pose for calming and focus
Peaceful Unicorn Pose - Next, be a peaceful unicorn with Peaceful Warrior pose. The unicorn has found new friends and they are loving and kind. Now take them on an adventure!
Benefits: All the same as Warrior II, plus…
Promotes deep breathing and relaxation
Calms the nervous system, reducing tension and stress
Supports digestive system
Energizing and uplifting
Boost self-esteem
Unicorn Pose - Next try out Pyramid Pose and pretend to be a unicorn with new friends sharing a meal together in the woods.
Benefits:
Strengthens the glutes, hips, and abdominal muscles
Stretches the hamstrings, quadriceps, calf muscles, back, shoulders, and wrists
Improves balance and stability in the legs and feet
Strengthens the ankle, knee, and hip joints
Lengthens the spine and hamstrings
Improves posture and reduces pain associated with poor posture
Calms the mind and creates mental clarity
Dancing Unicorn Pose - Finally, all the unicorns are together in the forest and are happy and playful. Pretend to be dancing unicorns with Dancer Pose.
Benefits:
Requires significant focus to maintain the pose on one leg, enhancing proprioception (body awareness).
Muscle strengthening for legs, ankles, feet, core, and hip muscles.
Opens up the chest, shoulders, hip flexors, and front of the body.
Improves flexibility in the spine
Mental focus, balance and concentration
Improve blood flow to the hips
Stress relief
Now, create your own Unicorn Yoga Story!
Create a Unicorn Yoga Story with all the poses learned form this yoga activity and the fun unicorn facts above. Take your child, children or students on a journey within the forest of the unicorn. What other woodland animals, or magical creatures, will they encounter on the way? What will the unicorns see on their adventure? Allow for imagination as children create their own unicorn yoga poses. End with this peaceful relaxation practice, Forest of the Unicorn.
Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20+ years' experience working with children and children with special needs. Information for the kids yoga blog come from Ms. Brandon’s 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training RCYS, and is approved by Yoga Alliance.
