May 01, 2022 9:55 PM

Staying healthy through movement

Posted May 01, 2022 9:55 PM

By Chris Faulkner

For the Beacon

Karen Piper’s devoted exercise regimen didn’t keep her from getting a sick heart — at one point it was only working at 25 percent of capacity.

But it definitely helped in her recovery, and what she got paid for at the local hospital about 10 years ago. She now teaches for free in the Fluid Movement class at The Loft, 416 Jefferson St. in downtown Burlington.

The class, which incorporates movements in the martial art of Tai Chi and others, meets from 10 to 11 a.m. each Thursday. The Loft is owned by the First United Methodist Church of which Piper is a member. 

The classes are free, but donations are welcome and go toward the church’s ministries.

When Piper suffered heart failure due to a virus, she was forced to leave her job as a massage therapist with the then-Great River Medical Center.

“I loved my job,” Piper said. But with her heart only working at a quarter of its full strength, “I had to get a pacemaker and defibrillator. I had four heart surgeries. That slowed me up,” she said.

For those who think her exercises were in vain, Piper said, “My doctor said had I not been exercising, I would not have been able to walk across the room without help.”

She said her doctors were surprised she was still working when they discovered her weak heart.

“They were totally amazed,” Piper said.

She continued to exercise when she could and said her heart is almost at full capacity.

A few years ago, she was asked to teach an exercise class at The Village in Burlington, something she also did at Great River. Health reasons also ended that soon after.

Earlier this year, however, Piper decided that she should start up another program called Fluid Movement.

COVID-19 took more than just a medical toll on people. Churches were shut down, which affected them financially and their members socially.

So, Piper’s hope is that the Fluid Movement class will help attendees with the stress of COVID-19, as well as other life stressors.

Tai Chi may be a form of martial arts, but going through the motions slowly provides the stretching benefit without engaging in physical contact.

“You’re looking for balance, strength in both legs and breath control,” Piper said.

Then, she leads the class in meditation, having them imagine themselves in an exotic spot, away from the day-to-day pressures of life. She finishes with shoulder rubs.

When she asked her students if there was anything more they would like her to do, “more shoulder rubs” proved the consensus favorite.

Piper teaches the Sun (soon) form just as she had for 11 years at the hospital.

“I directed it toward people that had arthritis or cardiac patients, pulmonary patients, people dealing with rehab,” Piper said.

“They’re gentle, slow-moving exercises that keep you in your comfort zone, but yet encourage your body each time to do a little more.”

“I always tell my class you get out of it what you put into it,” Piper said.

Piper is a nationally certified therapeutic massage therapist, after taking classes years ago at the Eastman Holistic School in Iowa City.

She also studied aromatherapy and uses it in her sessions.