THE POWER OF VIRTUOSITY
WHAT IS VIRTUOSITY & WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Have you ever found yourself as the newbie, whether it's a sport, activity, or job, only to observe someone effortlessly executing flashy moves while you feel stuck with the basics? Hold on to that feeling; I'll circle back to it.
Lately, through conversations with other members and coaches, I felt the urge to dive deeper into a concept that stuck out to me: Virtuosity. Despite not being much of a reader, I felt excited to explore this notion further.
By definition, virtuosity means, “Having great skill in music or art,” but the context that I learned it in came from gymnastics. In other words, virtuosity means, “Doing the common uncommonly well.” I love that idea of making the ordinary extraordinary or making the mundane a masterpiece.
What's important to understand about virtuosity, is that it demands time. There's a common temptation among beginners in any discipline to rush past the fundamentals and dive straight into complex, flashy techniques. This impulse, often referred to as the novice's curse, leads us to overlook the importance of mastering the basics.
If you have ever been taught by the best in your specific field, most likely you have been surprised at how simple, how fundamental, how basic the instruction was.
Imagine achieving virtuosity in a push-up. It's not just about range of motion and stability; it's the details—hand placement, elbow alignment, engaging muscles, controlled breathing—that elevate performance.
Virtuosity extends beyond the gym, often unnoticed in everyday tasks. Watching a barista craft a perfect latte showcases virtuosity—the precision in every step, turning simple ingredients into something magical.
But there's more to it than technical perfection. A gymnast can be technically flawless yet lack individual style. True virtuosity allows for personal flair. Your virtuoso performance should be uniquely yours.
Okay, so remember when I asked if you’ve ever been a newbie at something and felt like you were stuck in the “basics”? It is natural to want to jump to the advanced movements or parts of your job. It most often arises out of a desire to entertain or impress others with your knowledge or skill. More times than not, it actually hinders your ability to have a solid foundation that you can continue to build on in your craft.
Everyone is running their own race at different speeds all headed to their own goals. Believe it or not, you don’t have to be good at going to the gym to be successful. Did you show up today? Did you move your body?
At FMFC, we focus on the long game, knowing that lasting results take time—not just six weeks. Instead of comparing yourself to others, look back at how far you've come and embrace your own style. Going back to the basics is a solid foundation anyone can build upon.
Hope you learned something today. As always, stay cool.
Maia Gilbert
