The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

If you’re experiencing emotional, mental or physical stress and would like an alternative form of therapy to deal with it, the recently opened Nūn Center has come to the
rescue. The centre offers various activities such as yoga classes and
contemporary dance classes, in addition to treatments such as
acupuncture, Reiki, reflexology, kinesiology, homeopathy and nutritional
therapy, to name a few.

The centre
is located in a villa in the closed down part of Shafik Mansour Street near
Hassan Sabry Street. Go past the Dutch embassy and take a left before the
shopping mall. Upon entering the street, you will notice the bright green and
red logo of Nūn on the gate. Enter through the garden from here and take the
stairs to the first floor.

The
reception is also a little shop where you can buy organic products. Most products are by the brand Bob’s Red
Mill. You can get various kinds of cereal such as apple-blueberry granola or
eight-grain hot cereal starting at 50LE. You can also buy organic brownie mix (79LE)
or natural sea salt (30LE).

At the
time of our visit, we tried the Chi Nei Tsang treatment (200LE), which can be
translated into ‘internal organs chi transformation’. The treatment is used to
detoxify and energize the internal organs through soft and deep manipulation of
the abdomen. Chi Nei Tsang is holistic in its healing approach; it also
addresses the patient on an emotional level.

According
to Chinese philosophy, emotions are stored in the abdomen, and unprocessed
emotional energy accrues in the body. These blockages lead to tension, problems
with internal organs and illness. Chi Nei Tsang helps to release and process
these emotions through physical manipulation, visualization and meditation. Our
practitioner Hana was very nice and welcoming. When you enter the treatment
room, you are handed yoga pants to wear. For this treatment, it’s only necessary
to wear these and to roll up your shirt.

The
massage starts at the right side of your body, then to the left side and ends
in the middle. At the beginning of the
massage, oil is rubbed onto your belly. Throughout the massage, Hana presses
the points of the intestates such as the colon, liver, gallbladder, stomach and
so on. Each point is held for 30 seconds. Depending on the state of your organs
and/or emotions, the treatment can be painful at times. However, the pain
disappears relatively fast. In case you have severe pain or issues with certain
body parts, Hana can provide you with homeopathic cures.

When the
massage shifts from your right side to your left side, you will feel the
difference for yourself. Your right side is soft and relaxed while the left
side still feels stiff. The massage takes about an hour. Afterwards you are
presented with tea, which you can have in the nice waiting room. Before the
treatment you are advised not to eat or drink for at least an hour.

Nūn Center
is a great and essential addition to Zamalek. Even if none of the treatments
appeal to you, you must absolutely visit for a yoga class or to get your
hands on organic food.The majority of treatments such as Chi Nei Tsang. Homeopathy and Dorn Method Therapy are between 200LE and 300LE. Yoga sessions are 100LE in you drop in or 900LE per month with unlimited use.