Egyptian Food, Yoga and Kayaking: Escape Cairo's Chaos at Ahimsa

Egyptian Food, Yoga, and Kayaking: Escape the Chaos of Cairo in Ahimsa

Image courtesy of Mary Aravanis.

Imagine the perfect Friday morning. Greeted by a large open green area. The bright morning sun. Simple straw structures under which you can enjoy shade and enjoy a cool breeze. And looked directly at the silence of the Nile, just a few meters away.

These are exactly the kinds of mornings that Ahimsa offers. Ahimsa has only been open for a few months and is described as a “healing space on the Nile for holistic well-being and connection with raw nature”. Ahimsa grabbed a large piece of land on the edge of the Nile in Giza and turned that piece of land into a calm and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Cairo.

A short drive from most areas of Cairo, Ahimsa offers a variety of yoga and meditation workshops and classes throughout the day, as well as an oriental breakfast of foul (fava beans), white cheese with tomatoes, eggs and feteer (traditional Egyptian cake) . Various types of events and wellness retreats also take place occasionally.

Image courtesy of Mary Aravanis.

One of their most recent events was a morning of yoga, breakfast, and kayaking in the Nile, which cost EGP 450 in total. As we made our way into the room, we found a small hut-like structure under which we left our belongings and then were simply mesmerized by the beauty of our morning yoga view.

As we sat on the simple platform in the middle of the place, waiting to begin an energizing morning yoga flow and get our bodies moving, it seemed almost surreal to be in this beautiful place. There was silence, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the fresh air as we looked ahead of us at the Nile.

And then the session began. We participated in a one hour yoga flow that was both challenging and relaxing. The sun was shining beautifully and the cool breeze complemented the warm rays as we had a good morning.

Image courtesy of Mary Aravanis.

After our session we had a large and fulfilling oriental breakfast. The food was hearty and tasty and a perfect way to end the yoga session. After breakfast there was some rest, after which tea was offered. Most of us just sat there and enjoyed the tranquility of our surroundings, waiting to be charged with kayaking later.

Cairow Water Sports hosted our kayaking session in collaboration with Ahimsa. While we were sipping our tea, someone from Kairow showed us the basics of kayaking and how to properly row our paddle. And soon we all ventured into the Nile in our own solo kayaks (with the Cairow professionals always close by on a small boat).

While solo kayaking in the Nile may seem daunting at first (so for first-time kayakers), there is something about control and solitude that seems a bit empowering – not to mention the fact that everyone else is always are still in your area too.

Image courtesy of Mary Aravanis.

Since we were all rowing a few meters away from each other, every now and then you couldn’t help but sit in the silence in your little kayak in the middle of the Nile and just take in everything – it’s almost so far meditative in and of itself.

Not only does Ahimsa’s staff offer wonderful and unique experiences to use during the week or weekend, they are also very friendly and helpful. Overall, this gem of a place is really worth a visit, especially if someone needs a quick and easy break.

“Ahimsa, or nonviolence, is one of the ethical principles of yoga,” claims the Yoga Journal, and indeed, true to its name, Ahimsa is a place that truly ponders the values ​​on which it is built. Nonviolence, trust, calm and much more, which you will certainly feel there.

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