Don't be fooled by Instagram into thinking that doing yoga requires you to look like you just walked off the set of a health food commercial. Yoga is about how you feel rather than how you look, and you don't need a toned torso to practice it. If you keep trying, you might get one;)

Although men are still in the minority in most yoga classes, their numbers are steadily increasing. In fact, despite the fact that most yoga classes appear to be dominated by women, this is a relatively new phenomenon. When it was the domain of the Brahmin caste, yoga was traditionally taught man to boy or man to man.

If you're really passionate about it, you could always enroll in a men-only class—yes, they exist. A Broga class would be a good choice, though women looking for physical strength have begun to show up.

Regardless of who you are, the yoga community will always welcome you with open arms, so put your best foot forward (barefoot) and head down to your nearest studio.

Modern yoga studios will provide yoga mats, but this may not be the case if you're going to a church hall, a festival, or someone's home. It's best to double-check ahead of time.

Bring a water bottle, a towel, and a snack with you. It's not a good idea to eat or drink right before or during a yoga class, but you might be thirsty and hungry afterwards. Balance is key with yoga; don't gorge yourself on a six-course Chinese banquet right after (or even before), but a cheeky little dumpling won't hurt.

You should also bring a change of clothes because you might get hot and sweaty.

Yoga wear is similar to gym and workout attire in that it must be comfortable and breathable.

But, Yoga requires a lot more bending and stretching than a typical gym session, so your yoga attire should be very comfortable. You won't be hanging from the ceiling (at least not in your first class!) But it will need to work in some unusual shapes, such as upside-down and side stretches. However, you could be forming V shapes and stretching back and forth, high and low.

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Yoga shorts for men are the best way to stay cool while doing yoga. You'll be able to move around more freely thanks to the shorter length and minimal fabric. However, because you'll be bending a lot, you'll need extra support, and you'll also want to avoid any embarrassing overexposure.

The best men's shorts are either tight-fitting to keep you covered in support and comfort, or they have a protective underlayer or lining.

Yoga pants are similar to jogging bottoms, but they're a little tighter to help you stay in place while bending or stretching.

If your yoga pants have a tie waist, make sure the string isn't dangling or tripping you up.

If you want to keep your things close at hand, buy men's yoga pants with pockets, but leave your keys beside your mat or in the changing room—very uncomfortable if you need to lie on your front. Don't get too caught up in the distinction between yoga leggings and yoga pants—some people say pants are baggy and leggings are tight, but there is no universally accepted distinction.

Whether you choose yoga leggings, pants, or shorts, the important thing is to wear something that is comfortable for you and that you enjoy working out in.

When it comes to men's yoga tops, we recommend choosing one that is form-fitting and stays true to your body, so you don't have to worry about showing more than you intended when stretching or bending. If you don't want a tight-fitting top, there are also baggier options like yoga tank tops and men's yoga t-shirts. If you want to avoid it falling into your face when you're upside down, tuck it into your yoga pants! The best men's yoga t-shirts are quick to dry and breathable, just like the best men's yoga pants.

You leave your shoes at the studio door when you practice yoga to symbolize leaving the outside world behind. Wear your socks to get from the studio front door to your yoga mat. They're useful for final relaxation when you're going to be lying still for a few minutes – no one wants cold feet. Although many yogis prefer to practice barefoot, socks with sole grips can help you avoid slipping on your mat.

When it comes to hot yoga, you should anticipate sweating. As the name implies, the studio will be hot and humid, so dressing comfortably is recommended. To keep cool, you could wear yoga shorts, but make sure they aren't too baggy to avoid overexposure.

You could pair it with a low-cut tank top made of a thin, quick-drying material to avoid sweat patches and cool down faster. If you're not comfortable doing so, you could just practice topless.

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