Not Your Run of the Mill Diapper Bag

Headed out to yoga the other day with my ole yoga bag in tote. Parking in San Francisco is usually a tough one unless you were driving a MINI. Walked a few blocks to get to my 8 pm class. Okay, so I was running. Lets just say I was shy of 8. One could say I was building up my cardio before class. Hey, that's a good story to stick to. Really, it had nothing to do with my internal debate on whether I should go to yoga class or stay home and watch the pairs figure skating Winter Olympic event. Got to class, quickly took off my layers, and into my yoga wear. Quick check in the full length mirror before going in. Ugh... whats that on my shoulder? Looks like someone was using my shoulder as terrain for Thomas the Train. Realized it was my ole yoga bag that weighed about 7 pounds. Ya, ya, ya...seven pounds may be minimal to some. Tugging, shifting and repositioning as one walks up the hills of San Francisco, the bag now weighs twice as much!

During the 6 minute meditation in a full lotus pose, toward the end of class, it dawned on me that I should switch my yoga bag to a Go Gaga Bag. The oh so friendly to my shoulder, Urban Shoulder Strap, design spreads the weight over your shoulder and back.

The next day I transferred my yoga wear, yoga block, wallet, cell phone, keys, i-pod into the internal pockets and slipped my glass water bottle into the insulated bottle pocket on the outside of the bag. Attached my mat. I was set to tackle them Hills.

I can not tell you enough how happy my shoulders felt. OMG, if you haven't seen or tried the bag, I suggest you do. You will be a convert and a lover of the Urban Shoulder Strap. Best thing is that for each strap you purchase, 5% of sales will be donated to the Mountain Fund. The fund goes to the porters of the Himalayan community to help provide medical clinics and schools.

The bag was designed initially for the "on the go mom." I don't have a young child, but I do have a young rescued dog. Hiking in Mt. Tam with my pup, I filled my Go GaGa bag with a collapsible dog bowl, bags of treats for me and Sophie, two bottles of water, picnic blanket, flash light, bug spray, emergency kit and a light sweater. I probably put more than that. It will be noted on a future blog of "how to pack for a hike with your pup." Despite my calves feeling sore, my neck and shoulders felt great after the hike.

I haven't tried my lap top in it yet, nor have I used it for a weekend trip or packed it with Starfield Bay products and materials. I'm sure the Urban Shoulder Strap will come through for me again.

Thanks Jill Cartwright, CEO/Founder for Go Gaga Bags, for coming up with a great and useful idea.