HOT YOGA?

Have any of you done hot yoga?  I scheduled one at a local studio that has beginner classes.  And, promptly cancelled the day before. 

I have done yoga on and off for a few years.  I'm not as limber as I should be and I thought hot yoga would be a great way to get back into it (and who am I kidding, maybe I'll purge some toxins and lose water weight!).  So why did I not go?

Most people I mentioned it to all said how great it was BUT that you really needed to be prepared for how it feels. 

I live in Florida and relish the hot summers here.  How bad could it be?  Then they mentioned how you have a hard time breathing as a newbie. Oh, and don't even eat before you go, you may get sick.

I think all the "warnings" scared me.  It started sounding ominous and not zen and soothing like the fantasy of it in my head.

Any tips from those of you hot yoga afficionados out there?  Please convince me it's worth it!