Pilates Wellness Wednesday. Fresh ginger.

Fresh ginger tea steeping slowly, cut into blocks, warming the body before movement.

Occasionally in the morning or later at night, ginger fits when the body feels unsettled. I take a fresh root, peel it, and cut it into small blocks. Not slices. Blocks release flavour slowly and keep the tea steady rather than sharp. Hot water goes over the ginger and I leave it alone for a few minutes. No rushing. The smell softens as it sits and the whole process forces a pause most people skip.

I drink the tea first, slowly. Warmth settles the stomach and breathing drops lower without effort. The shoulders stop creeping upward. Then I eat the ginger. This always surprises people. Chew it. Take time. Digestion wakes properly and the heat stays present instead of flaring and vanishing. It feels grounding rather than stimulating.

This links straight into Pilates. A settled gut supports breath. Improved breath supports posture. Posture shapes how movement feels before any exercise begins. When digestion feels calm, balance improves and coordination feels clearer. Teaching also feels easier. Cueing lands better because the system feels present rather than rushed or braced.

Ginger stays quiet. No promises. No noise. It asks for attention and rewards patience. Cold evenings, early starts, long teaching days all suit this habit. Wellness often looks plain. A root. A knife. A mug. Time to chew. The body responds when it receives simple care without drama.