鈥淲hat鈥檚 the best yoga mat?鈥� It鈥檚 a question we hear all the time. Our answer is always, 鈥淚t depends.鈥� More specifically, it depends on how you practice, what you practice, and whether you practice in a way that prioritizes cushiness, grippiness, portability, affordability, sustainability, or any of many other qualities.

We asked 18 yoga teachers and students of varying experience levels to ditch their usual mats for more than a month of sweating, balancing, kneeling, and sitting cross-legged. We unrolled the contenders for best yoga mats at studios, stretched on them at home, tossed them in our car trunks, lugged them along city sidewalks, and (sometimes) scrubbed them down afterward. Then we did it again and again and again.

The following yoga mats are the ones we consider standouts for various reasons. Below, we鈥檝e highlighted what our testers appreciated most about each to help you match one with your practice.

Be sure to also check out as well as the , , and.

At a Glance

• Best Yoga Mat You鈥檒l Never Need to Replace:
• Best Grip Yoga Mat:
• Best Yoga Mat for Aesthetics:
• Best Affordable Yoga Mat:
• Best Yoga Mat for Beginners:听
• Best Thick Yoga Mat:
• Other Yoga Mats Worth Considering
• Mats to Avoid
• How to Choose a Yoga Mat
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers
  

All mats in this guide were tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people on their mats. Learn more.

Best Yoga Mat You鈥檒l Never Need to Replace

Manduka Pro

Material: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 PVC
Thickness: 6mm
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Dimensions: 71 x 26 inches

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lifetime guarantee
鈯� Dense cushioning
鈯� Easy to clean
鈯� Wider than many mats
鈯� Available in extra-long
鈯� Heavy
鈯� Slippery when sweaty

There鈥檚 a reason why so many yoga teachers consider the Manduka Pro their go-to mat. Actually, there are several reasons, including the mat鈥檚 鈥渄ense cushioning,鈥� explained a teacher tester who鈥檚 practiced on the Pro for almost a decade. Also, the no-slip dot pattern on the bottom ensures the mat doesn鈥檛 wrinkle or slide, no matter how quickly you transition between poses, even as you make your way from Revolved Lunge facing one edge of the mat to Flying Monkey on the other.

A couple testers, including a yoga therapist, asserted that the Pro is supportive of 鈥渁ny type of practice鈥� and that it adequately supports 鈥渁ll bodies.鈥� That includes those with 鈥渁chy knees,鈥� whether you鈥檙e kneeling in , arm balancing in , or reclining in .

In terms of upkeep, the Pro doesn鈥檛 absorb sweat, which makes cleaning a cinch. It also makes for a slippery experience if you sweat a lot. Throw down a towel if you鈥檙e taking hot yoga, cautioned one vinyasa-taking tester.

Also, the breaking-in process for Manduka mats is somewhat prolonged compared to most mats but worth the patience required. Read the packaging鈥檚 fine print on how to flatten those furled edges and tame any initial slickness.

Bonus: Manduka guarantees their mats will last a lifetime and you can choose from 13 colors.

Best Grip Yoga Mat

Jade Harmony Mat

Material: Natural rubber
Thickness: 4.7mm
Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
鈯� Grippy
鈯� Made of natural rubber
鈯� Available in extra-long and extra-wide
鈯� Attracts fuzz and fur
鈯� Tricky to clean
鈯� Not for outdoor use

Compared to other brands of yoga mats, Jade makes a textured surface that offers what one tester described as an 鈥渦nearthly grip.鈥� 鈥淚magine you had Alien Tape suction cupping your hands and feet to the mat and that鈥檚 the grip you鈥檒l experience,鈥� she explained. Another tester who鈥檚 practiced on the Harmony mat for years swore, 鈥淚t鈥檚 ideal for my chronically sweaty hands and feet. I never slide. NEVER.鈥�

It pretty much delivers exactly what many of us want in a mat, which is 鈥渟upport, grip, and cushion,鈥� explained a tester who practiced slow, yin, and restorative yoga on the Harmony. Another longtime teacher and student explained the mat has 鈥渁 well-constructed feel for being relatively thin.鈥� (He also cautions that some students might want a more cushioned foundation.)

Aesthetically speaking, everyone commented not just on its sturdiness and all-purposeness but its lovely and muted 鈥渆arth colors鈥� and 鈥渏ewel tones鈥� that are 鈥渓ess nondescript than most yoga mats.鈥� However, that textured surface also holds onto fuzzies, fur, and anything else that鈥檚 airborne. It also attracts lint from towels when you wipe it down. A longtime Jade owner suggests you take the mat with you in the shower or hose it down鈥攂ut only if you can allow several days for it to dry.

Testers also noted that they respect the company鈥檚 commitment to planting a tree for each mat sold. As do we.

Best Yoga Mat for Aesthetics

Yune Natural Rubber Yoga Mat

Material: PER (Polymer Environmental Resin)
Thickness: 6mm
Weight: 2 pounds
Dimensions: 72 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
鈯� Array of color and design options
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Value
鈯� Modest cushioning

鈥淭ypically, when you buy a yoga mat, you鈥檙e confronted with a decision鈥攆unction or fashion,鈥� explained one of our testers who鈥檚 a graphic designer and yoga teacher. 鈥淣ot with this one.鈥� A handstander and arm balancer, the tester found the Yune to be the 鈥減erfect thickness鈥� and 鈥渋mpossibly grippy.鈥� She explained that it also 鈥渂asically adheres to the floor,鈥� which quickly earned her trust.

The grippy and design-savvy mat satisfied more than just arm balancers. Several other testers reported feeling 鈥渃ompletely confident鈥� on the Yune while practicing vinyasa. And everyone appreciated how it lies flat immediately out of the packaging and rolls up small for ease of storage as well as lugging it to and from class.

About those designs. Yune makes dozens of expressive patterns that are, according to its website, 鈥減rinted digitally with UV inks,鈥� which makes for minimal environmental impact. Your artful options include designs for specific astrological signs, contemporary art, even depictions of .

Best Affordable Yoga Mat

All in Motion PU Natural Rubber Mat 5mm

Material: Natural rubber base with polyurethane surface
Thickness: 5mm
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
鈯� Super grippy
鈯� Lies flat upon first use
鈯� Rolls up easily
鈯� Price
鈯� Contains polyurethane
鈯� Subtle synthetic smell

This easy-to-find and relatively affordable mat is rated five stars by users on Target.com. After practicing on it, we understand why. Despite its smooth surface, the mat boasts an almost uncannily strong grip. 鈥淚 like this. I feel like I鈥檓 going to stay put,鈥� said one tester who was new to yoga. Comparing it to several other budget mats she鈥檇 slid on while learning poses, she blurted out, 鈥淭here鈥檚 no slippage with this [expletive]!鈥�

A 78-year-old tester echoed that feeling of security. She appreciated how the All in Motion 鈥渉olds you in place鈥� during standing poses and felt like the mat allowed her to 鈥渟ink in a tad鈥攊n a good way.鈥� That grip easily releases as you move on the mat. Although a couple testers report occasional air bubbles beneath the mat when transitioning from pose to pose, the wrinkles dissipated as quickly as they appeared.

Although the mat was less cushioned than some others, according to our nearly octogenarian tester, it was surprisingly adequate for most testers compared to other budget brands. That said, anyone with achy joints or who simply prefers additional cushioning will prefer the thickness of a more expensive mat.

Our primary complaint is the origin of the surface material and its lingering smell the first day or two after removing it from the packaging.

Best Yoga Mat for Beginners

Gaiam Premium 5mm

Material: Latex-free PVC
Thickness: 5mm
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
鈯� Super lightweight
鈯� Lifetime guarantee
鈯� Array of color and design options
鈯� Available in extra-long
鈯� Slightly slippery
鈯� Short

Typically, beginners to yoga are in the market for something that isn鈥檛 a splurge and helps them feel comfortable. When we asked yoga newbies to try several $30 and under mat options, the unanimous favorite was the Premium 5mm from longtime mat-maker Gaiam.

鈥淥oooh pretty!鈥� commented a millennial tester as she stepped onto the pale turquoise mat. 鈥淎nd cushy!鈥� She appreciated that she was exponentially more comfortable while learning sitting and kneeling poses than she was on other budget mats. She also felt more supported while wobbling in balancing postures. Our 78-year-old tester also experienced confidence standing and transitioning on the Premium 5mm and considered other mats in that price category to be 鈥渢oo hard鈥� and 鈥渢oo slippery.鈥� It allowed her to 鈥渟lide a little鈥� but much less so than other comparable mats.

Although it鈥檚 not as cushioned or durable as pricier mats, the Premium 5mm offers a respectable thickness and far less slippage for the money. We recommend it for beginners as an affordable option.

Note: There are a dizzying number of Gaiam mats labeled 鈥淧remium鈥� with varying characteristics, colors, and designs. Our preference is anything with a 5mm thickness.

Best Thick Yoga Mat

Jade Yoga Fusion

Material: Natural rubber
Thickness: 8mm
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Dimensions: 24 x 68 inches

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cushioning, cushioning, cushioning
鈯� Grippy
鈯� Made of natural rubber
鈯� Available in extra-long and extra-wide
鈯� Heavy
鈯� Attracts fuzz and fur
鈯� Tricky to clean
鈯� Expensive

Few yoga mats dare to approximate an 8mm thickness鈥攁nd those that do tend to feel dangerously unstable and more like a mattress than a mat. But everyone who tried the Fusion was surprised that it delivered luxe cushiness in a way that felt both sturdy and supportive. 鈥淔rankly, I was shocked that I loved this mat as much as I did,鈥� explained one of our testers, a longtime teacher who switched her loyalty from a different brand after trying it.

For anyone with sore wrists or knees who craves more cushioning, whether during vinyasa or while stretching, this mat is a boon. But it鈥檚 not just about the cushiness. Multiple testers also commented on how they appreciated the mat鈥檚 support and grip.

We heard very few complaints. One drawback is that with additional material comes additional weight. A yoga and meditation student who considered the Fusion to be 鈥渧ery supportive鈥� also found the mat鈥檚 heft to be a chore to roll and unroll as well as transport to the studio. However, he was quite content to practice on it at home, as was his four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who bounced on it to

The only other quibble we have relates to the mat鈥檚 textured surface. With great grip comes painstaking cleaning. 鈥淚t seems to pick up every piece of dust and lint,鈥� a tester reported. 鈥淚 felt like it was kind of subtly shaming me for having a dusty house!鈥�

Other Yoga Mats We Like

Manduka Pro Lite

This rendition of the Pro has all the attributes of the classic. There鈥檚 just less of it to practice on. The 1.3mm difference in thickness (the Manduka Pro is 6mm thick, the Pro Lite is 4.7mm) makes for a mat that鈥檚 less cushioned but easier to both roll and carry. It鈥檚 also considerably more affordable.

Liforme Printed

This mat from UK-based Liforme has become the darling of an increasing number of stateside hot yoga students in recent years. The mat has a natural rubber base and grippy but smooth eco-polyurethane surface that鈥檚 wider and longer than most competitors. It鈥檚 only modestly cushioned at 4mm although one of our testers loved it for practicing vinyasa on carpet at home.

One tester, a longtime hot yoga teacher, explained that 鈥渁 little sweat can help with the tacky feel and grip鈥� although 鈥渉eavy sweaters may benefit from a mat towel.鈥� Also, if aesthetics are important to you, know that 鈥渢he surface can get a little smudged up and can be challenging to maintain that 鈥榥ew look.’鈥� Consider yourself forewarned.

Speaking of visuals, testers were divided on the 鈥渁lignment lines鈥� printed on the mat. Some tester reported them to be helpful in finding proper positioning, while others found them distracting. 鈥淎s an 鈥楢鈥� type, any mats with alignment markings can make me obsessive,鈥� explained one tester.

As far as we鈥檙e concerned, the biggest disadvantage of this mat is its price point.

Yoga Mats to Avoid

Don鈥檛 race out to buy a yoga mat priced $19 to $30 to save a few bucks. After practicing on many of these in recent months, we can say with certainty that they tend to be exceptionally slippery, lack cushioning, slide on the floor, and wear out relatively quickly where you place your hands and feet. At best, most provide a little padding between you and the floor. Almost without exception, they cause more distraction than they鈥檙e worth.

How We Tested

• Mats tested: 35
• Testers: 18
• Weeks of yoga practiced: 4
• Skinned knees: 1
• Splinters from natural cork: 1
• Professions of unabashed love for an inanimate object: 3

We drew on the expertise and opinions of dozens of yoga teachers and students during our testing. First, we interviewed everyone we know who practices yoga about the mats they鈥檝e been in long-term relationships with and why. This helped us understand more about durability, stability, grip, ease of cleaning, and other features that you can only appreciate鈥攐r curse鈥攁fter practicing on a mat for months or years.

We also researched big-name, boutique, and lesser-known mat brands and scoured online reviews from users for close to 200 mats that come in an array of materials, sizes, designs, and price points. Then we narrowed down which mats we felt were top contenders and wanted to test.

Next, we asked 18 students and teachers鈥攊ncluding two newbies鈥攖o take a twirl on different mats. Our testers ranged from millennials to near-octogenarians, hot yoga goers to yin and restorative regulars, novices to longtime teachers. Some seek comfort in a mat. Others demand grip and stability.

The test mats became part of each person鈥檚 regular yoga routine鈥攚hether at a studio or home practice space, for hot yoga or restorative yoga鈥攆or a minimum of three classes. We did our best to provide each tester with mats that are similar in form and function for comparison. Then we asked our testers questions. Lots and lots of questions.

Testers weren鈥檛 shy about letting us know which mats they felt were the most grippy, durable, cushioned, practical, portable, stylish, and affordable. (One tester even texted a photo of a skinned knee and a request not to ask them to practice on that mat again. We acquiesced鈥攁nd took the mat out of contention.)

We also checked back in with testers long after they turned in their responses to inquire which, if any, of the mats they were still using after the required testing was over.

How to Choose a Yoga Mat

Our advice is the same whether or not you鈥檙e new to yoga: Date around.

Don鈥檛 buy a mat right away. We know you鈥檙e enthused about settling into your practice and that鈥檚 terrific. But if you鈥檙e still figuring out the types of yoga you like to practice, you don鈥檛 yet know what you need in a yoga mat.

Explore Your Options

Pay the mat rental fee at your yoga studio a few times or maybe pick up a used mat for a few bucks at your local thrift store before investing in a brand-new mat. You鈥檒l start to discern which features are important to you鈥攊ncluding mat thickness, slickness, grippiness, rollability, portability, and, yes, the color and design. Knowing what matters to you most will be helpful when you do your research and make a purchase.

Also, if you see a mat in class that intrigues you, approach its owner after class and ask them about it. If they gush and insist that you鈥檒l love it, it鈥檚 okay to prod a little for specific reasons why. That person may value grip and aesthetics whereas you may be seeking something with extra cushioning that鈥檚 easy to clean.

Once you鈥檝e settled on what features matter to you, opt for a modestly priced mat and remind yourself that as your yoga practice changes, what you want in a mat may also change. Trust us when we caution you not to splurge right away.

Consider Your Needs

If you鈥檙e someone who walks several city blocks to class lugging your mat, you probably want something fairly lightweight. If you鈥檙e the sort of person who tends to put off washing dishes or scrubbing the bathroom floor (no judgment here), you鈥檙e better off with a mat that鈥檚 super easy to wipe down. If you experience knee or wrist pain, you鈥檙e going to want something cushier than budget mats provide. If you鈥檙e a heavy sweater (again, no judgment), look for a mat that won鈥檛 absorb sweat or become slick when wet.

Our point is that you鈥檙e probably not going to change your ways simply because you spent a lot of money on a mat. So rely on that self-awareness you鈥檝e cultivated in your yoga practice and shop accordingly.

Also, watch those expectations. With any yoga mat, you will experience trade-offs. If you value cushioning over grip, the mat you buy may be a little heavy to carry and you may occasionally slip slightly. As you consider the pros and cons, try to set yourself up for the best experience rather than a perfect experience.

Keep looking. The right mat for you is out there.

Meet Our Testers

, yoga teacher trainer and host of

, yin, restorative, somatic flow, and yoga nidra teacher trainer and founder of

, vinyasa yoga teacher and founder of

, hot, vinyasa, and yin yoga teacher and teacher trainer

, longtime student of Ashtanga and vinyasa yoga student and hair stylist

, vinyasa yoga teacher and co-owner of

, yoga therapist, anatomy teacher, and teacher trainer

, yoga therapist, author of , and social media editor at YJ

, yoga and movement teacher, author and app creator, and founder of

, yoga and meditation teacher and creator of the

, longtime student of meditation as well as phys ed teacher

Phoebe Digges-Elliott, yoga teacher and movement enthusiast

, yoga teacher and writer

Jane Schettler, newbie to yoga who likes to stretch in front of the TV

Sara Waits, newbie to yoga who lives in yoga leggings

intermittent yoga student of 25 years and longtime runner

Laura Harold, yoga student and at YJ

, yoga teacher, writer, and f of YJ

Don鈥檛 forget to check out as well as the , , and.

The post The Best Yoga Mats for Literally Everyone appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Who knows you better: Your barista or your birth chart? Starbucks seems to think it鈥檚 the latter.

Recently, the world鈥檚 largest coffee company released Star Signs, an designed for 鈥渕atching customers with their perfect Starbucks drink and spring horoscope.鈥� While the chain makes headlines for its , its current focus seems to be a turquoise-tinted user experience with a spinning zodiac wheel.

The company collaborated with the astrology app, Sanctuary, in the creation of the interactive tool. According to a statement released by Starbucks, 鈥淐ustomers will receive a personalized Star Signs Chart that includes their power words, spring color, flower, and Starbucks drink recommendation.鈥�

But is that what customers really want when they consider their caffeine fix?

(Not Quite) Everyone鈥檚 a Critic of Star Signs

The answer, it seems, is a resounding no.

We asked thirty-some adults of varying ages, backgrounds, genders, and beliefs (or disbeliefs) about astrology to access the Star Signs promotion. They spun the wheel, selected their sign, and noted whether they were seeking a morning or an afternoon bevvie.

Then they waited. The drink suggestions were鈥nteresting.

Rather than assign an astrological sign to a subtler coffee preference, such as a particular type of roast or bean, Starbucks (perhaps not surprisingly) focused on promoting its signature concoctions.

One astrology-doubting Capricorn declared the recommended iced Americano as reliably accurate.听 Four other respondents asserted similar things. As for the rest…

鈥淣ot even close! Terrible.鈥�

鈥淚 have never nor would I ever order that drink.鈥�

鈥淚 don鈥檛 need all that sugar! Or pink.鈥�

鈥淰ery froufrou. I鈥檓 a straight black coffee drinker.鈥�

“Too sweet, too heavy, too much.”

“Utter fail.”

鈥淚鈥檓 allergic to pineapple!鈥�

Over and over again, the respondents complained of the suggestions being too sugary. Too pricey. One declared it was downright creepy.

There were also those whose disdain for the signature drink was only slightly less vehement than their objection to a corporation taking advantage of their affinity for astrology.

鈥淥f all the gimmicky campaigns鈥︹��

鈥淚 love astrology but this is a big ugh to me!鈥�

鈥淢aybe instead of spending development funds creating a new sugar delivery channel they could compensate their employees better.鈥� (Not surprisingly, this person identifies as a Scorpio.)

Still, others described a sense of feeling dramatically misunderstood.

鈥淭he drink sounds gross to me. But really, their biggest mistake is thinking it鈥檚 a good idea to try to dictate or suggest anything to a Sagittarius! If they know their astrology, they should know better,鈥� stated a Scorpio.

Can Astrology Really Discern Your Desired Coffee Fix?

It鈥檚 unlikely. 鈥淟udicrous鈥� is how Los Angeles-based astrologer and writer described the Starbucks promotion. 鈥淭o reduce the intricate mechanics of astrology to predicting what beverage a given Sun sign would prefer is like suggesting a plastic surgeon could exact which elective procedure you would select based on your hairstyle,鈥� says Seaman.

Astrology, as a science, dates back several millennia and was based on mathematics. According to the ancients, the placement of the planets at the time of your birth can bring about a multitude of awarenesses about yourself.

But astrology is an intricate interplay of your entire birth chart鈥攏ot just your . That intricacy has largely been overlooked in recent years. Although that鈥檚 the sign you check for your horoscope, it cannot capture your complexity (and neither can Starbucks). Instead, it鈥檚 indicative of the outward expression of yourself in response to a situation or your attributes that are apparent to others.

In the case of an afternoon drink, your Sun sign might indicate your need for caffeine or sugar or a distraction to propel you through your day. It determines less about the characteristics of your specific selection and more about whether you would order one at all. (Looking at you, Aries, Virgo, and Sag.)

But when it comes to your preferences around food and drinks, your Sun sign falls short. Instead, those choices draw on countless factors, including childhood experiences, geographic and societal influences, affluence, and emotions. The latter is attributed to your . This relates to the characteristics of your inner world, your longings, and your emotional response to what鈥檚 happening in the world around you. For example, you may crave something sweet to assuage the craziness of life鈥攐r something dark and intense to match your mood.

For better or worse, Taco Bell got this right a couple years ago in a that proposed inspired options for your Sun and your Moon signs. The brilliance of this campaign was perhaps best expressed by the sauce packets. (You know who you are, Moon placements in mild and Diablo sauce.)

Many of our respondents also checked drink selections for their Moon sign. The results were largely disappointing.

鈥淯uuuuuuuuuuuuugh. No.鈥�

Astrology can offer insights into all aspects of yourself. But maybe the questions you should be asking of it aren鈥檛 related to second-guessing your coffee order. Instead, you may just want to trust your intuition鈥攐r your barista’s instincts.

The post Starbucks Thinks It Can Use Astrology to Discern Your Drink Order. Can It? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

0Some of us watch the Oscars for the fairytale-like fashions. Many tune in to end the obvious suspense. Maybe a few turn to it for the comedic banter.

Probably no one attends expecting a reminder of what it is to be, well, human. Yet that鈥檚 what we all were privy to as we witnessed Lady Gaga鈥檚 subdued appearance at the Academy Awards on Sunday evening.

The songwriter, singer, and actress walked the red carpet in Versace and diamonds along with eyeliner artistry and hot red lipstick. Later, Lady Gaga quietly appeared onstage to perform sans make-up, wearing a black t-shirt, ripped black jeans, and Converse. Her tattoos were her most outlandish accoutrement as she sat and delivered a soulful and acoustic rendition of 鈥淗old My Hand,鈥� prefaced with a musing about the need to show up for others as well as yourself in life.

It was a gutsy move to emphasize emotion over glam. To appear almost nakedly herself on a night where is anywhere from $1.5 to $10 million is, quite simply, an exhibition of feminine vulnerability and strength. Cinderella in reverse.

The Moment

Even though the moment seemed to take place with grace and ease, there was considerable thought and effort that went into the making of it. Prior to Sunday, it had been widely reported that Lady Gaga wouldn鈥檛 perform at the Oscars due to scheduling conflicts with the filming of the Joker sequel Folie 脿 Deux. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 feel like she could get a performance to the caliber that she is used to,鈥� said Academy Awards executive producer and showrunner Glenn Weiss in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

That changed late last week. 鈥淭hursday, at four-something, we got a text that she wanted to try something, didn鈥檛 have time to put together a big performance, but wanted it to be raw and people to see the real Gaga,鈥� said executive producer Ricky Kirshner.

That seems to define the contemporary female we all aspire to be. Knowing her boundaries, needing her space, and making the decision to show up selectively. And on her terms.

That is wellness鈥攕taying true to yourself even when it means changing your mind, shattering some people鈥檚 idea of who you should be, and perhaps even questioning your sanity as you do so.

The Message

When the cameras unexpectedly cut to Lady Gaga on a darkened stage, she was sitting on a stool accompanied simply by a guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Before playing 鈥淗old My Hand,鈥�

鈥淚 think that we all need each other,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need a lot of love to walk through this life, and we all need a hero sometimes. There鈥檚 heroes all around us, in unassuming places, but you might find that you can be your own hero, even if you feel broken inside.鈥�

The song, which Rolling Stone describes as a 鈥減ower ballad,鈥� was co-written by Lady Gaga and is featured on the soundtrack for Top Gun: Maverick. Her performance was a tribute to the late Tony Scott, director of the original Top Gun, who died by suicide in 2012. It was nominated for Best Original Song.

Her reiterate the inherent vulnerability of being human. They reassure us that being an individual doesn鈥檛 need to mean being isolated. And they remind us that wanting someone to stand alongside you while you face your demons is not a weakness.

"You might find that you can be your own hero, even if you feel broken inside." Lady Gaga introduces her performance of "Hold My Hand" at the .

— Variety (@Variety)

The Woman

Whereas some saw an insufficiency in the seeming nothingness between her and her audience, it was everything that was right about the moment. That Lady Gaga, known for her outlandish fashions, slipped into a less ostentatious version of herself as a performer seemed aligned with the solemnity of the tribute.

More importantly, she seemed aligned with herself as a human. She鈥檚 someone who detoured on the red carpet Sunday night to help a photographer when he stumbled. Someone who has spoken out about the chronic pain and psychological breakdown she experienced as a result of experiencing sexual assault. Someone who has mentioned on the role plays in her life, citing that it helps her stay calm and feel safe in her body. Someone who has been more and more real in her portrayal of herself so that others might feel compelled to do the same.

鈥淚 love authentic people,鈥� said Lady Gaga in an interview for several years ago. When asked what she would say to her followers, she replied, 鈥淭o my young female fans, I would say, your body belongs to you, your mind belongs to you, your emotions belong to you, and just always be true to yourself.鈥�

And perhaps most revealingly, Lady Gaga expressed that she has 鈥渁 very emotional reaction to fashion. I like that fashion can both be a form of expression and a form of hiding.鈥�

In a 2020 interview with Oprah, she expressed that creating 鈥淟ady Gaga鈥� allowed her 鈥渢o create a superhero for myself.鈥� Who we saw on stage may not have been Lady Gaga but rather a glimpse at Stefani Germanotta. And that might have been the most appropriate lesson we can take away from Sunday night.

In response to disappointed Oscars watchers voicing their complaints on Instagram, one supporter of Lady Gaga cited her Netflix documentary, .鈥淪he expressed that someday she wants to try stripping back the costumes and theatrics, and that she’d hope her fans would appreciate that she’s still the same Gaga without it.鈥�

Another woman silenced further critiques by defending Lady Gaga鈥檚 look with a statement as strong and understated as her appearance itself. 鈥淭his nothing is everything.鈥�

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