The practice of yoga allows one to pay close attention to how the body and mind connects with the world around them. As distractions drop away and awareness focuses, it’s much easier to hone in on the subtle sensations that arise during this beautiful practice when one doesn’t have to worry the crotch of their pants tearing open any given moment. Granted, easy access can be helpful in certain situations, the blessed balance between being comfortably clothed and uncomfortably exposed is a fine line worth respecting.

Yoga is getting to be downright fashionable nowadays, which is a blessing and a curse — particularly for men. Ladies have it easy with a multitude of brands, colors, styles, fabrics, and designs to choose from. We don’t. It’s magnificently torturous to practice yoga when the velcro fly on your favorite pair of ripped board shorts keeps popping open as a sweat-drenched t-shirt flops down over your head in every pose. Goddamn downward dog!

Sure, I have a few pairs of awesome yoga shorts that work extremely well. I practically live in them while teaching 10 classes a week, practicing daily (yoga & acrobatics), and managing to hold down both a day job and social life at the same time. These three pairs of awesome shorts do get boring (and ripe) after a while, so I’m always on the look for great clothing options. Us men don’t have much to pick from, and it has taken a long while to find what yoga clothing works best for me. Believe me, I understand the frustration of my only choices being black or gray, shorts or pants, tight or baggy.

Regardless of body type, the best clothing to wear for yoga is anything comfortable to move in that allows the skin to breathe. The body should be able to move in any direction without “anything” getting caught on anything, if you get my drift. The less bulky or bunchy, the better.

Remember: It’s easier to move easy when you can easily move.

After you’ve said that five times fast, check these guidelines to think about when deciding what to wear to class:

Light, loose fitting clothing. Good: cotton & linen (more below), most athletic gear (leave the hockey pads at home). Bad: Denim, corduroy, leather, rubber, latex or anything squeaky, for that matter. For the love of god, avoid zippers and buttons. If it can catch on something, it will.

But not too light or loose. There is one thing that men have to worry about that women don’t (during yoga that is), the penis. Make sure your clothing supports your situation with minimal flop or rub. Not only will you feel more comfortable, but your teachers and fellow students will as well. It’s incredibly bad form when one of your lil’ buddies sneaks out during a forward fold. Running shorts offer a nice first line of defense with the sewn-in genital hammock, although make sure those shorts aren’t too short.

Mind the Shark Fin. If you’re into thongs or g-strings, this applies to you.  Panties (or Manties, for that matter), without fail, will ride up over the hips during a rigorous practice. It might not be a big deal for you (after all, you choose to wear them), but it can be distracting to others for obvious reasons. Want to be that guy/gal? It’s your call, really. Be mindful of that.

Don’t hide the body.. just cover it. If you are swimming in a sea of fabric like a Halloween ghost, your teacher won’t be able to correctly access posture or alignment. You’ll lose out on valuable insight, unique to aid your practice. Less is more here — feel free to show ankles and bear arms like 1900’s high fashion on Coney Island. It’ll be easier for you to move smoothly, as well as for your teacher to give you helpful adjustments.

Natural fiber or special anti-sweaty stuff? This choice depends on you. Organic cotton breathes easily, yet absorbs sweat and holds onto it. If you are someone who tends to marinate, prepare to enter a wet yoga t-shirt contest. Sweatier yogis might want to look into quick-drying athletic gear that wicks away sweat from the skin, allowing your body to breathe easier. PRO TIP: Wash this gear regularly and let it air dry to avoid developing a moldy smell over time.

Avoid excess baggage. Take off your watch, your hat, your sunglasses, and as much of your jewelry as you can bear to part with. Leave it in your bag, not next to your mat. You will be able to move easier without fear of breaking, scratching, or tripping over anything. This also applies to flared pant legs, socks, leg warmers, and scarves. Practice at your own risk.

Avoid street clothes in public studios. People have gone through effort to create a sacred space for others to practice in. Bring a change of clothing and give yourself a chance to leave any stress, negative energy, or dirt outside with your shoes. Use the time it takes to change into your yoga gear to slow down and prepare for class. This also ensures you don’t leave the studio all sweaty because you’ve got an extra pair of pants, Dapper Dan.

It’s not about what you wear, it’s how you wear it. Ultimately, it all comes down to getting on that mat and doing yoga. Don’t worry about how it looks; be aware of how it feels. Set yourself up for greatness by getting comfortable. A little bit of comfort can go a long way.

Clothing Recommendations (for men):

Lululemon Men’s Studio Short. I just picked up a pair of these a few weeks ago and man OH man do I really enjoy them. Light and comfortable with just the right amount of stretch to accommodate my situation, these shorts have quickly become one of my all-time favorite pieces of yoga gear. Lululemon.com

Yoga Crow Men’s Swerve Shorts & Oragami Tops. After a long phone call with Conor, the owner/founder of Yoga Crow, not only can I say how much I enjoy the style and function of the label, but I can say I enjoy the ethos behind the brand. Simple, effective yoga clothing for Men… ain’t nothing wrong with that. YogaCrow.com

Aumnie Triumph Crop. I received these stylish yoga clam diggers as a gift for presenting at the 2013 Korea Yoga Festa. Without a doubt, they have garnered the most compliments of any yoga pants I’ve ever worn (minus my customized suspender pants). Thankfully, they are as comfortable as they are good-looking. I’m a huge fan of this budding Asian yoga clothing company, and would love to see more people wearing their gear. Aumnie.com

Article originally posted on MindBodyGreen.com on May 19, 2012. Lovingly tailored for HIM Magazine on June 1st, 2013.