Hot Yoga Pros & Cons~is it unsanitary? opinions pls.

I've done it about 10 times. trying to spend time with a girl mostly.

Its kinda boring, but a lot harder than you would first expect. I do not like the meditation aspect of it. Its just not my style. Classes are an hour and a half. A little long for me. After the class is over though, you feel amazing. Great detox feeling. I'd probably go back, but only with a friend.

Everybody has their own mat and towel so I would not say it is unsanitary. Smell was not bad. Lots of sweat. Lots of moisture in the air from the humidifiers in the room.

i love it! been 4 or 5 times so far. and i am a guy. i was impressed with the fact that there were people of all sizes and ages, and i wasn't the only guy. i also personally know a regular yoga teacher from a different studio. i saw her at my hot yoga studio, so it gave me some confidence that my place is good.

i certainly had some concerns of cleanliness. i have found that the room will be as clean as the people in it. everyone has their own towel(s) and mat. i bring a sweat towel to wipe myself off with too. i have seen people spray down their mats before they leave, altho i do that at home. i shower before i go and as soon as i can after. there is some smell, but if you are focused on you, you won't notice it. i wouldn't expect that it smells any different than a gym locker room.

i have major knee trouble, and the stretching and heat seems to help. not to mention my flexibility has increased, as well as my confidence.

when i leave there i am on a yoga high. i feel so good. my body just feels clean, even tho i just sweat my tail off for 90 minutes.

my advice:

get there early and get a good spot in the room. my first two sessions were right under a major heat vent, so it was blowing right on me.
drink a lot of water the day of, and day after a session.
go in to the room early and try to get used to the heat, you don't want to walk in and start working out right away.
find someone who clearly has been there before and use them as a guide for correct positioning.
put way more ice in your water bottle than you think you will need. ice melts quickly in 105 degree heat. i drink all my daily water at room temperature. that won't cut it in the studio. you may want to freeze your water bottle half full, then add water to it when you go to the class.
stretch well before and after.
have another water bottle with cold water waiting for you in the car for the ride home. if you bring it in the studio it'll just get warm. it'll stay cold in car.
just go do it! if you don't like it, don't go back.
lay down whenever you need to. don't worry about what you can and can't do. i know people who have been going for over a year and still take breaks.
you won't be allowed to leave the room, so suck it up. lay down and breath thru your nose. that feeling of passing out or puking will go away if you relax and breath properly.
and keep your eyes open. that is huge. big mistake by people just starting out.

good luck. have fun. i love my new hobby!