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I forgot my mat when I was rushing to my last class and had to pick up one at the studio. Well I put it down and started to practice on it. I think with the heat of the room and probably my hands, well it started to really smell (everytime I put my face anywhere near it I felt like retching. It was gross! )

By the end of the class the mat practically walked out of the room itself. I had to rush and wash my hands. Don't yoga schools who lend out mats have to clean them once in a while (hopefully each time someone like me uses one). I mean we're not talking calm breathing style of yoga here, it's Bikram, people sweat! The worst thing is that I have a rash on the side of my leg and I'm wondering if I caught it on the mat!

Yes, I've been to cllasses where a strong smell of stale feet begins to permeate the room. I'm sure it's coming up from the mats. Apart from having to suffer this stench, I've noticed people giving their neighbours uncomfortable and semi-accusatory glances.

I have complained twice, and once I got a laugh! Could this be my old bikram gripe that they're apparently too busy raking in the money to attend to such things?

Ugh! Lets hope the rash didn't come from the mat, if so, what sort of rash could it be . I think you have a right to complain. I know it's not fashionable to get out there and talk your mind, but this sounds like a pretty big deal to me. I think they have to clean the mats if they lend them out (did you have to pay for yours? In my studio they charge for them (so they better be clean!). In fact I'd happily pay for one, clean, rather than get one for free that wasn't!

Jeez. Well I went to the doc and he said that it's most probably a heat rash rather than the mat (that's one good thing anyway). I did speak to the school and they said of course we clean the mats, and denied all knowledge. They didn't offer anything else (a free class or the like would have been nice ) but nada.