Chronic Illness & Chronic Pain Movement Education
Chronic Illness Podcast, Gentle Pilates, & Somatic Movement
I’m Donna Piper, MA — a trauma-informed Pilates teacher, movement mentor, former Dance Movement Psychotherapist, and host of Dear Body, I’m Listening. This is a place for body-honoring movement, nervous-system-aware healing, and the kind of support that doesn’t ask you to push harder to prove you’re healing.
Helping You Understand Your Body, Find Your Movement & Feel Less Alone
I'm Donna Piper, MA, a chronic illness educator, Pilates teacher, and host of Dear Body, I'm Listening. I help people living with chronic illness, persistent pain, fatigue, and physical limitations better understand their bodies and explore movement that respects their individual needs.
Through chronic illness education, honest podcast conversations, private Chronic Pilates sessions, and creative somatic movement experiences, I offer a different approach to movement and body awareness—one that values pacing, personal choice, and listening to your body rather than pushing through.
Your body deserves to be understood, not pushed.
Choose the support that fits where you are today.
Chronic Pilates
Private, personalized Pilates and movement education for people living with chronic illness, persistent pain, fatigue, and physical limitations. Movement that meets you where you are.
The Body Listening Circle
A welcoming, small-group experience combining gentle creative movement, music, body awareness, and conversation. Explore self-expression and reconnect with movement at your own pace. No dance experience required.
Read the Blog
Education, reflections, resources, and real talk for chronic illness life — with practical support for your body, mind, and nervous system.
Who am I …
HELLO
My name is Donna.
I live with Lipedema, ME/CFS, POTS, hEDS, MCAS, and chronic pain — and I’ve spent more than 25 years teaching Pilates, studying movement, and helping people reconnect with their bodies.
As a trauma-informed Pilates teacher, movement mentor, and former Dance Movement Psychotherapist with a background in PTSD and somatic healing, I created the kind of support I wish I had found sooner: gentle, nervous-system-aware movement for bodies that need compassion, not punishment.
This work is for women with chronic illness who are tired of being told to push harder when what they really need is safety, understanding, and a way back into their bodies that doesn’t feel like a fight.
Listen to …
Dear Body, I’m Listening
Honest conversations for women navigating chronic illness, medical gaslighting, body trust, and the long road back to feeling safe in their bodies.
Hosted by Donna Piper, MA, this podcast offers real talk, nervous-system-aware support, and healing wisdom for women living with Lipedema, ME/CFS, POTS, hEDS, MCAS, and chronic pain
Chronic Pilates is coming soon.
Healing without pushing
Gentle, nervous-system-aware Pilates for women living with Lipedema, ME/CFS, POTS, hEDS, MCAS, chronic pain, and bodies that need support… not punishment.
For just $5/month, you’ll get access to gentle movement practices designed to help you feel safer, stronger, and more connected to your body without pushing through pain, fatigue, or overwhelm.
Join the waitlist now and be the first to know when it opens.
