Downward Facing Mommy

I love yoga class. I love the music, I love the atmosphere. I love that I get to spend the last three minutes of class lying in corpse pose, and that I'm not supposed to do anything except relax my face and focus on my breath. How great is that?

But the getting there was always kind of hectic. I was usually the one running into the gym two minutes before class started, in my last clean T-shirt with my unrolled yoga mat tucked hastily under my arm. After getting my kindergartener on the bus and dropping my preschooler off before the start of circle time, I was left darting around like a maniac so I could leave my toddler in the childcare center, get to the studio, set down my mat and find some inner peace.

I have, however, found one thing to make those morning jaunts to yoga at least a bit less crazy, and a lot more stylish (though I confess, I'm still wearing the same pair of ratty black yoga pants I've had for years) ... a yoga mat bag. It's Bagnificent makes fabulous ones (yoga and pilates style) that are cute and functional.

I purchased a bag when I finally grew tired of fishing my unrolled mat from the cavernous, dusty recesses of my minivan ... and I'll tell you, I'm like a new yogi! I always get tons of compliments on my mat bag (I have the Good and Plenty pattern shown below), and it's way cuter than the usual suspects you see at Target. And at only $20-25 each, the price is comparable to discount store wares, and much cheaper than higher-end styles I've seen. They come in so many great patterns, have a drawstring closure to keep your mat from sliding out, and (best of all) a sturdy strap for easy carrying. Now my mat stays rolled up and clean, and my hands are free to carry other things (or children, as the case usually is).

In addition to the mat bags, the designer also does custom orders, including gym and tote bags (you can match your mat bag or go for an entirely different print!). She can also customize a mat bag to fit extra towels, yoga bricks or straps. Prices for custom orders vary, but average at around $40.

Mommies With Style readers will get a free pocket or free monogramming with any mat bag order. Just order on-line as usual, then send an email to the address on the site and note that you found them through Mommies With Style. So check it out ... a more centered mommy might just be in your future. Namaste.