May 1, 2017

Meet Patricia Bomar of Yoga Athletex in Spring Branch

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Bomar.

Patricia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My sister, Kalynn Evans, and I started this company together in 2013. We had a dream of introducing yoga to young athletes. We wanted to offer them an athletic approach to yoga and a platform to move and breathe on without pain or judgement. Over time, our vision has developed in to all that Yoga Athletex (YAX) has to offer.

We are lifelong athletes and native Houstonians. We are true “inner loopers” – 3rd generation Houstonians. It’s no surprise, our Mother Darlene was a Houston Cougar, Olympic athlete, kinesthetic behavioral interventionist and wellness director in Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD). Each has experienced the “typical” trajectory of a youth athlete: physical differences from their peers and debilitating injuries that last well into their adult lives. Each also found healing and benefits after their introductions to yoga.

Beyond the physical “magic” it worked, the women experienced other benefits. They became less anxious and angry. They unconsciously used their breath as a tool for emotion control. Their resting heart rates decreased. They moved with more poise. Their relationships with God grew stronger. Their body image grew positively.

With yoga, came a spark. An idea and a passion for sharing this gift to create a change in youth sports. And not just the athletes, but the adults too. The adults, who like Kalynn and Patricia, have the unfortunate experience of sports-related injuries and need a new way of moving. It’s their intention to help prevent and rehabilitate injuries through yoga and functional strength and conditioning for athletes so they can enjoy and finish their sports career, and then live long and healthy lives.

I, Patricia, started training athletes while in college at TAMU. I also earned my BS in Sport Management while studying the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) program through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Post college, after working as a fitness specialist at the Houstonian, I earned several yoga certifications (200RYT, 300RYT, expedition balance, and more) and my Functional Movement Screen (FMS) certification. After locking down the strength and conditioning gig for Skyline Juniors Houston, we decided to bring our dreams to life by opening our first facility in West Houston.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. This dream is 14 years in the making. We taught many classes in the park, at CrossFit boxes, in garages, at day cares, for corporate wellness and more. Trying to build a solid clientele that fits our image has been a battle. Athletes are reluctant to try something as holistic as yoga – generally speaking.

We’ve also learned hard lessons about trusting people, sales people, dealing with leases, contracts, finances and other issues.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our mission at Yoga Athletex is to keep athletes moving, regardless of their limitations, with responsive programming based in yoga, sports performance training and mindfulness. Our vision is to create a healthier life-long athletic community in Houston, from youth to former athletes.

Our approach is grounded in the understanding that everything changes. We know that this world is stressful and in a constant “push” state. Because of that, we are compassionate and supportive to our athletes. We understand their struggles and their fears. From younger athletes who are concerned about college looming, to retired athletes who have seen their “glory days” and don’t know where to turn. While we do egg-on our athletes to be better, we do so in a realistic way that does not cause harm or further inflame injury. We also do what works. We don’t fluff things up or tell you things that sound nice to make you feel good. We tell you the truth. Always.

We value different approaches to healing and training. We take what we learn regarding physiology, anatomy, yoga, physical therapy and training to create the best and most effective experiences for our athletes.

Life is about the interplay between Yin and Yang. And that’s exactly how we train. Our motto is “Play, Work & Restore,” after all!

We as trainers think it’s our job to be 100% real and present with our athletes. And we hope to create an environment where they feel safe in sharing with us. We believe failing is succeeding, because when you’ve been down there’s no place to go but up.

No matter who you are or what limitations (you perceive) you have, we will welcome you with open arms. Yoga Athletex keeps EVERYONE moving.

Our philosophy is firmly rooted in three models: OPT or Optimal Performance Training, LTAD or Long-Term Athlete Development and Yoga. The LTAD model is a way of looking at an athlete’s development over a lifetime. The model covers seven different stages from an Active Start in the ages of 0-6, where play is an essential component, to Active for Life for ages 25 onward, where athletes transition to a life of physical activity outside of athletics. In each of these stages, age groups require different training models and performance practices. It is from LTAD that we have built our responsive programming that suits the youngest athletes who are just learning to play to the oldest who are learning how to move through athletic “retirement.”

In Yoga, there are many truths. There are truths about who we are and about what our goal in practice should be. In Yoga, we find many practices that provide longevity for people of all walks of life. We find breathwork. We find focus work. We find body posturing that makes us both strong and supple. It is from Yoga that we take our work ethic and apply its stipulations for steady practice, deep commitment and constant compassion.

At Yoga Athletex, we fuse these three models to serve diverse athletic populations with a singular focus: lifelong health through balanced, compassionate and responsive programming.

We offer functional movement screens which really sets us apart. We are able to evaluate the imbalances and asymmetries in one’s body to determine the cause for future/past injury. Through this screen we are able to offer a safe platform for proper movement allowing our clients to move optimally for years to come.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up in inner city Houston has really shaped who I am. Inner loopers are a tight knit group, with a small-town feel. So, I grew up with a lot of friends and a big family. We were always active and involved with some activity. Having a mom that was a PE teacher and coach really allowed me to learn a ton about movement, sports, nutrition and anything health related. She had me playing team sports from birth all the way to college. This allowed me to be very team oriented, driven and active. I love to move, play and be social. My dad’s family owns a small farm near College Station that I grew up playing there every summer. This is where I probably gained a love for the outdoors. I love getting dirty, sweating and just being in the sun. Because my grandparents lived on this farm in Anderson, TX – I decided to attend Texas A&M. Being an Aggie has also shaped my values and ethics.

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