Life Coaching in Cairo

Amal, a friend of mine in Cairo has started Life Coaching specifically targeted for English Speaking practicing Muslim women in Cairo(and the rest of the world - since it is conducted by phone or internet).

Life coaching is a process that helps clients to articulate their dreams and aspirations, to clarify their purposes and goals, and to then help them achieve outcomes in any area of their life: personal, professional, relationships, health…

Amal was trained in Canada by Muhammad Alshareef (the founder of AlMaghrib Institute among other organizations) through DiscoverU (www.discoverulife.com) to use techniques and methods that are successful in secular coaching, and apply them within an Islamic framework.

If you’d like to know more about her service, you can go to: http://coachamal.com/index.html and get more information. She does have a special offer of a free session before October 15th that could give you a taste of the service before signing up with her, if you’re interested.

As far as we know, it’s the first service of its kind here in Egypt.

Added on 18 Oct 08: Amal has extended the offer for a free session until the 20th of October.

Yoga Classes

I have written about Yoga Classes before. This is another option from an Indian who is currently in Cairo.

Chirag can be contacted by mail on drchirayuthakkar @ gmail . com (without the spaces of course) or by phone on +201 6063 7001

Dearest Cairo Yogis,

I took some time off to check on the trends and costs of Yoga and Alternative Medicine services in Cairo, that's why the silence.

Before we come to our interests, something about me… I am an Indian National. My study at the University was Yoga and Alternative Medicine,which is a 5 years Medical Course. After the University I joined work in my hometown, Baroda, in a Natural Healing (Naturopathy) hospital.

After which I was employed in Libya with a corporate sector MNC, where the job profile was to work towards stress, health and fitness of the employees.

Also was associated with Yoga in sports for one of the national teams of Libya.

Another good break brings me back to Africa. Here in Cairo employed with a govt. authority in the Heatlh and Sports sector.

Coming to our discussion. (FAQ)

1. What kind of doctor are you? Do you provide consultations and counseling?

I am a doctor of Alternative medicine and Yoga. Yes I do provide both consultations and counseling.

2. What kind of yoga do you practice?

I practice Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga majorly. Also keep knowledge of other schools of yoga like

Bikram Yoga(Hot Yoga), Iyengar Yoga etc. and various streams of yoga.

3. What is the base of Alternative medicine & what alternative therapies do you offer?

The main approach and base of Alternative medicine (& yoga) is Holistic healing.

The major Alternative therapies I offer are…

Acupuncture

Acupressure

Therapeutic Massage (for relaxation and for healing)

Reflexology

Hydrotherapy (depends on availability of required equipments)

Fasting Therapy (counseling and guidance)

There are other therapies but they require a setup. I have mentioned the ones which are on offer.

4. I am interested in both Yoga and Alternative therapies. Do I come to you or you will come to me?

I will come to you. My stay in Cairo is at a hotel, which is not an ideal place to have yoga or alternative therapies.

5. I am interested in small Group Yoga. Where can I come?

One option is, if some of you are willing to host the group sessions at your place. If so, then we shall collect people of the same area or the near by areas into one group.

Second option, by and by I am searching for a place / room for conducting group yoga.

6. How many people would you consider in a small group?

Four. Maximum five (4-5 people per session)

7. I am interested in Yoga and so is my Wife/Husband. We do not want group yoga. What can another option be?

Private session for couples is your answer. Privacy and personal attention are maintained.

8. What are your charges for Yoga?

Small Group Yoga (per session per head) LE 60 (Students pay LE 45)

Private (one-on-one) LE 250 (Students pay LE 200)

Private (for Couples) LE 400 (2X200)

9. What are your charges for Alternative Therapies?

Acupuncture LE 100 per session (Students pay LE 80)

Massage

Full Body Oil massage LE 250 (Students pay 225)

Full Body Yoga Massage LE 250 (Students pay 225)

Head and Back massage LE 150 (Students pay 130)

Head and Face Massage LE 100 (Students pay 80)

Feet and and Hands Massage LE 100 (Studetns pay 80)

Therapeutic Massage (for aches and pains) (depends on the need)

Hydrotherapy

(depends on the need)

Fasting Therapy Counseling/Guidance

(depends on the need)

NOTE

: Charges for these Massages are based PER SESSION & not on the time/duration of the therapy.

10. I am interested in Yoga. I am a student studying here. Usually I run tight on my budget and may not be able to afford your sessions. What do you suggest?

If your interest is genuine, then rest assured, there always is a way out. We can discuss and come to a mutual agreement.

Cairo Yogis…Now comes an important part... This is for everyone…

Do not hesitate to speak your mind. Do not hesitate to discuss.

At anytime if you have the costs of yoga and alternative therapies stopping you from having them, please feel free to discuss in person or on email.

There is always a way out. There always is a solution, we just need to try. Do not worry… we will not let your genuine interest drown. :O)

I suggest that you mail me.

In Subject type what you'd be interested in (Eg. YOGA - Private one-on-one OR Private Couple OR Group Yoga OR Massage OR Acupuncture OR the combinations)

In body of the mail write your full name, the address and specially the area so that later on it's easy to place you in a particular group in or around your area. Also do mention if you have previous experience in Yoga and a little about it so that we can have groups likewise. Further write something about yourself

That is all for now.
Hope to see you soon in Cairo.
Good Wind.
God Bless.
Chirayu.

Warning : Al-Diwan language school, Nasr city

This post is actually by a friend of mine, Linda who came to Egypt to study at the Al-Diwan language school in Nasr City.

Following is her experience studying at this particular institute and in the area surrounding the institute.

To put her message in perspective, (she isn't a naive student away from the US for the first time in her life! She has traveled to Syria, Palestine, and Jordan and never experienced it like this. This is not a rant against Egypt or Arabs or Muslim societies. This is information that any female expat considering studying at this school should be aware of)

I'm at the Al-Diwan language school here, and while the language school is great, the surrounding area is not kind to females who don't wear the hijab or niqab.

I cover everything save my hair and arms, and get harassed every single day, several times a day by men and even children who jeer and say disgusting things. The day I decided to wear the hijab for my own safety, I was followed and groped by four males in a car as I was walking to school. I decided not to wear it again.

I've spoken with other international female students living in Nasr City, and I've heard similar horror stories: taxi drivers exposing their private parts; men slapping them on the ass telling them to cover up; not being able to go outside to the corner store without being chided for walking the streets alone. To say that we're treated like prostitutes is not an exaggeration. A friend of mine was offered money for sexual favors by a taxi driver as she walked home.

Al-Diwan is a great school, and because I can't get a refund even if I wanted one, I asked to transfer to the Garden City branch. The Nasr City manager said he could not transfer me for several weeks so I decided just to cut my time here short. I hadn't been informed that a Garden City branch existed and didn't find out until the first day I arrived, as it wasn't advertised until the Nasr City branch filled up.

I've since heard of an unhealthy competition by the two branch managers which is quite unsettling, seeing that I had requested a transfer once I arrived and was denied until the day I was groped ten yards from the school and walked in, in hysterics.

I'm on a fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education, and this school is approved by them. I will be recommending to them, as I did to the Nasr City manager, that female students be advised of the problems of sexual harassment that are being experienced here. From reports I've heard of Egyptian friends who live in Nasr City and do not wear the hijab, the situation has gotten much worse for them in the last ten years, and it's getting worse every day. I encourage anyone who knows of a female thinking of studying in Nasr City to pass this message along.

Best,
- Linda

Yoga Classes in Cairo

As an Indian in Cairo, I am often asked about the whereabouts of yoga classes in the city.

The following is a list of places that I know offers yoga classes but as I have not personally attended any of them, I cannot recommend anyone against the other.

1. el Sawy Culture Wheel on 26th July Street, Zamalek has Yoga on tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm-7pm at the Word Hall. 012 440 0100, 736 8881 www.culturewheel.net

2. the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Center (Indian Cultural Centre) at 23, Talaat Harb Street runs yoga classes 4 days a week. There are 3 levels of courses and each one lasts about 3 months. Charges are very reasonable. +2 02 393 3396, macic[@]india-emb[.]org[.]eg

3. Studio 206 in Maadi sometimes has yoga sessions. from what I understand they are more of one person leading a group session, than classes per se. Call and check. Villa 18, Road 200, Degla, Maadi. +2 02 2519 5713 nohastudio[@]yahoo[.]com

4. Ananda Marga organises yoga classes in Heliopolis, Mohandaseen and Rehab City http://egyptyoga.info/

Yoga for women:
Mondays at 10:00 -11:30
Tuesdays at 18:30 -20:00
Thursdays at 10:00 -11:30

Yoga for children (age 8 up to 10)
-Saturday at 10:30

Yoga Classes in Heliopolis:
Tuesdays 19:30 - 21:00
Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30

Yoga in Mohandaseen
Saturday 18:00-19:30

Please kindly register in advance tel. 016 1924763

5. Someone mentioned Studio 21 in Ard El Golf 010 477 7608

6. Heliopolis Sporting Club has classes conducted by 2 different instructors.
Yousri : Sunday, Monday and Wednesday Mornings from 9:30 to 10:30
A Lady : Saturday and Tuesday Evening from 19:30 to 20:30

7. Many clubs like Swiss club, Shams Club organise yoga classes depending on demand. If you are a member of a club, check with them if they offer classes.

8. Golds Gym and Samia Allouba offer yoga classes at some locations.

9. One of my friends in Heliopolis mentioned a Studio called Shake'N'Shape for women in Ard El Golf. The studio offers classes in fitness, abs, yoga, pilates, aerobics. She said they were pretty good and very affordable when she attended a couple of years back. The girl who owns the place is called Noha Hassam and her number is 0106281010.

Added this option on 26 Sep 08.