Organ Massage Anyone?

Being healthy and in good spirits is no easy feat in a city like Cairo. It’s not surprising for a Cairene to be stressed, be it emotional, mental or physical stress. We all need some serious form of relaxation and positive channels to release all the pent-up negative energy and toxins we have in our systems. Some opt for a good workout; others choose a detox diet. I chose Nūn Center. If you are in need of virtually any form of energy therapy, Nūn is likely to become your new home away from home. Located on a sleepy side street in Zamalek, this little haven of positivity has become a favorite destination for those looking for a more holistic lifestyle. Promising to help with the acute problems we complain about everyday, the center strives to go one step further and deal with the issues behind the imbalances that cause these problems. The first time I went to Nūn was to check out their weekly farmers market in the garden of the villa housing the center. From 11am to 3pm every Saturday, the market offers organic produce from local growers and handmade crafts. My second visit to Nūn  was to try the Chi Nei Tsang massage, something only Nūn offers in Egypt. As I went up the stairs to the first floor to where the actual center is located, I was excited to try this ‘internal organ chi transformation,’ as they so vaguely put it. I was happily surprised to see that the reception also doubled as an organic products shop, where I could spend my hard-earned cash on some healthy options to add to my strictly pasta diet.   Although smaller than I had imagined, the center more than makes up for it with its sunny aura. Decorated simply, the space just has a good vibe. I felt happy there. My 11am appointment with Coleen, a middle-aged Chinese woman, was due, so I had to cut my tour short and head to the massage room. Though not fluent in English,Coleen was able to put me at ease and explain the procedure in more detail. Chi Nei Tsang is an ancient Chinese technique used to detoxify and energize the organs of the abdomen through massage and pressure points. Done correctly, the result should be better functioning organs and relief of tension and knots in the abdomen, which, according to this tradition, is an area that carries ignored emotional stress. The beginning of the one-hour massage went well enough, with the practitioner slowly and deeply massaging my abdomen with oil. Then the pressure started, painful at times because of my emotional state and organ health. Coleen applied pressure around and on my stomach, kidneys, colon, gallbladder and liver, and thankfully massaged all the knots out.  The pain soon faded, meaning that the treatment was going well, according to Coleen. I was only able to completely relax half an hour into the massage. Once the pain subdued at the pressure points I fell into a meditative coma. I could slowly feel a weight being lifted from my abdomen. Stiff when I came into the room, I felt my stomach had turned to jelly, and the feeling was echoed all over my body. I felt I could breathe better, and somehow, even though Coleen didn’t work on my lungs and heart, they felt freer. Once we were done, I felt like I had awoken from a sleepy dream. The treatment may have been intense but the benefits are definitely worth the pain. I will probably try a softer treatment on my next visit to Nūn, and keep Chi Nei Tsang as a yearly treat for my unattended organs. If organ massage isn’t your thing, Nūn offers an array of activities, workshops and treatments, such as yoga, Zumba, tai chi, acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy, Reiki, nutritional therapy and image consulting. They have a team of seasoned practitioners from all around the world to help give some balance and positive fusion in your daily life.