Art Scene for March 2015

 

 

Art Café Gallery

Four accomplished artists and students of Dr. Ashraf display their art in this wonderful exhibition.

Opens: March 13th, for two weeks.

Participants: Hanaa El Aasar, Ayhan Ragab, Amani Mahmoud and Nadia Gouda.

Young Artists Group Exhibition

Beautiful art made by Dr. Ashraf’s teenage students.

March 27th, for two weeks.

 

Contact Details:

62 Road 13, Maadi, Situated between road 81 and 82, behind Maadi police station.

Tel: 0 122 705 0753

Open Daily, 11 AM to 9 PM

 

Arts-Mart Gallery

Friday 20th February 2015 brings with it the unveiling of Arts-Mart The Gallery’s Alexandrian artist Ibrahim El Tanbouli’s solo exhibition titled ‘Master of Dreams’. A range of artworks that explore human connections and encapsulate traditional Egyptian life through El Tanbouli’s well-loved lucid figures and shapes and unique vivid palette.

 

Contact Details:

Cairo-Alex Desert Road, 2km from 26 July Mehwar exit, right from Total Gas Station

Tel: 02 3749 6162.

Open Daily, 11 AM to 9 PM

 

ArtTalks Gallery

“Juxtapotion” by Hazem El Mestikawy, opening reception: March 10th until April 9th.

“Juxtaposing Past, Present And Future” By Faten Mostafa, Juxtaposition is the act of positioning two or more things side by side or close together as per the Merriam Webster dictionary. In visual arts, juxtaposition entails making the ordinary look extraordinary and represents one of the essential techniques in the Surrealism art movement. For example, overlapping two images together in impossible combinations.

 

Contact Details:

8 El Kamel Mohamed St., Zamalek

Tel: 0100 555 05 85

Open Daily,11am to 8 pm. Fridays, 3 pm to 8 pm.

 

 

Townhouse Gallery

“Mere Real Things”: February 15th until March 11th.

In “Mere Real Things,” Ayman Ramadan takes on the role of the artist-curator, assembling a selection of utilitarian and decorative household items and rendering them useless by displaying them in an exhibition space. Such objects and decorations were once commonplace in middle-class homes and shops across Egypt.

 

Contact Details:

10 Nabrawy Street off Champollion Street, Downtown

Tel: 02 2576 8086

Opens: Saturday – Wednesday, 12 PM – 9 PM

The Newborn Guide: Breastfeeding

By Tabibi 24/7

Being a new mom can be overwhelming, trying to adjust to a new schedule, new demands and a new little being. Here are a few tips to help you make the transition to motherhood less stressful, Following up on last month’s article on caring for your newborn, Tabibi 24/7 brings you more essential advice on feeding your little one.

Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is one of the first decisions parents make. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) joins other organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) in recommending breastfeeding as the best option for babies. Breastfeeding helps defend the baby against infections, allergies and protects it against a number of chronic conditions. The AAP says babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. Beyond that, the AAP encourages breastfeeding until at least 12 months, and longer if both the mother and baby are willing. For mothers who can’t breastfeed, commercially prepared infant formulas are a nutritious alternative to breast milk.

Ask for help right away

The first time you breast-feed your baby — preferably within the first hour after delivery — ask for help. The maternity nurses usually offer breast-feeding tips, starting with how to position the baby and ensuring correct latching.

Support yourself with pillows if needed. Then cradle your baby close to your breast rather than bending over to bring your breast to your baby. Support the baby’s head with one hand and support your breast with the other hand. Tickle your baby’s lower lip with your nipple.Your nipple will be far back in the baby’s mouth, and the baby’s tongue will be cupped under your breast. Look and listen for a rhythmic sucking and swallowing pattern.

Let your baby set the pace

For the first few weeks, most newborns breast-feed every 2 to 3 hours round-the-clock. Watch for hunger signs but avoid overfeeding! If your baby is gaining much weight and experiences tummy pains, excessive gas, greenish watery bowel movements or spitting up large amounts, he may be feeding too frequently.

Let your baby nurse from the first breast thoroughly, until your breast feels soft — typically about 20 minutes. Burp him then offer the second breast. If your baby’s still hungry, he will latch on. If not, start the next breast-feeding session with the second breast. If your baby consistently nurses on only one breast at a feeding during the first few weeks, pump the other breast to relieve pressure and protect your milk supply.

Take care of your nipples

If your nipples are dry or cracked, use an emollient nipple care cream after each feeding.

When you bathe, minimize the amount of soap, shampoo and other cleansers that might contact your nipples.

Make healthy lifestyle choices

  • Eat a healthy diet. Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice and milk can help you stay hydrated and boost your milk supply.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking can reduce your milk supply, as well as change the taste of your milk and interfere with your baby’s sleep. Second-hand smoke is also a concern.
  • Be cautious with medication. Although many medications are safe during nursing, always consult your doctor before taking any.

Give it Time

If breast-feeding is tougher than you expected, try not to get discouraged. Just remember that the more often you breast-feed your baby, the more milk your breasts will produce — and the more natural breast-feeding is likely to f

Chocolate Fondant

The Classic, Timeless, velvety Queen of the Dessert world

By Crave

 

Increasing innovation in the culinary world has caused dessert sections on menus to evolve and progress to include varieties that range from classics to new and intriguing. Whatever the ingredients are or combo of flavors is, chocolate continues reign as a classic, timeless, velvety ingredient.

With February being the month of love, hearts and all things sweet, chocolate fits perfectly here as our topic of the month.

7 Chocolate Fun Facts & Cooking Tips

1- Chocolate comes from the cocoa tree, where cocoa beans are extracted from pods before they’re transformed into smooth velvety chocolate; 70 % of Cocoa hails from West Africa.

2- Dark chocolate has more cacao and less sugar than other chocolates, so it is considered healthier than milk chocolate and white chocolate.

3- The smell of chocolate stimulates the brain waves that trigger relaxation.

4- In Dubai, “Al Nassma” founded by Sheikh Al- Maktoum, is the first company to manufacture camel-milk chocolate derived from camel milk. It’s considered ‘liquid gold’ in the Middle East and is full of Vitamin C.

5- Breaking up chocolate into pieces or using chocolate chips in baking/cooking is best because it helps the chocolate melt faster.

6- Adding a teaspoon of coffee in cake-baking brings out the intensity of the chocolate flavor.

7- “Ganache” is a culinary term for creamy chocolate icing/frosting consisting of melted chocolate, cooking cream, butter and vanilla essence.

Perfect Chocolate Fondant (Makes 2)

Ingredients

  • 60g unsalted butter, cut into cubes, plus extra to grease ramekins
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 60g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 1 egg and 1 egg yolk
  • 60g sugar
  • 1 tbsp plain flour

 

 

Directions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 200C and place a baking tray on the middle shelf. Butter the inside of 2 small ramekins or moulds, and then put the cocoa in one and turn it to coat the inside, dusting off any excess.
  • Put the butter and chocolate into a heatproof bowl over, but not touching, a pan of simmering water and stir occasionally until melted. Allow to cool slightly.
  • Vigorously whisk together the egg, yolk, sugar and a pinch of salt until pale and fluffy. Gently fold in the melted chocolate and butter, and then the flour. Spoon into the prepared moulds, till right before it reaches the top.
  • Put on to a hot baking tray and cook for 12 minutes (14 if from cold, 16 if frozen) until the tops are set and coming away from the sides of the moulds.
  • Turn off oven and leave to rest for 30 seconds- 1 minute and then serve in the ramekins or turn out on to plates– they’re great with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce.

 

 

Mahmoud Hemeida

The Penguin of Many Forms

Actor, Producer, Poetry-Lover, Legend

By Shorouk Abbas & Francesca Sullivan

Behind a formidable desk in the office of his production company in Heliopolis, Mahmoud Hemeida sits reading a book of poetry while listening to Tchaikovsky. Charisma radiates from him like a heat-seeking missile, yet he appears calm and poised with an eyebrow that lifts sardonically at the slightest provocation. Above the desk a large plaque declares the name of his company to be ‘The Penguin’. Can he explain? He waves a graceful hand towards it and obliges, “There is a line of poetry by Fouad Haddad that I have always loved. It says we are birds with wings and sandals; we should be free like birds, but still grounded. The penguin is the king of birds, yet doesn’t fly.”

Poetry is a big part of his life and he reads it daily. Like the penguin on his wall, Hemeida is nothing if not grounded, and with his own singular way of approaching life. “I live for the moment, I enjoy myself, but I question everything,” he declares with pride. “When I was a baby I walked and talked early; I didn’t like it when adults talked down to me.”

A precocious child then? “Yes,” he smiles, “I like that word. When as a kid I discovered that it’s normal to sleep eight hours an night I was appalled – I didn’t want to spend one third of my life sleeping! I trained myself to have two hours only, and get up at dawn.”

Born in 1953, Hemeida has been acting on and off since the age of five (he took lead roles in school productions), but by his own admission has also done every job under the sun in between. Brought up between the urban family of his mother and the rural roots of his father, he learned to be equally at home in both environments. Then, when he got to university, he became something of a rebel, and ended up working as a labourer on a building construction site and  as a dancer, taking classes in ballet, swing, rock and roll and folklore styles, performing gigs as part of a troupe. He eventually graduated as an accountant, worked as a salesman for a soft drinks company, got married, and seemed set for a conventional life, with part-time acting on the side. But in 1990 – a time when ironically the local movie industry was struggling – he finally gave himself up to a full time acting career.

“I’d done quite a lot of stage work, but I only truly entered the film world in the 1990’s. I found I preferred film to theatre. I really enjoy the process of building a character slowly, brick by brick.”

Such a varied life has given Hemeida a decidedly worldly aura. In a crowded room he stands out, not only because he is tall, but because of his extraordinary presence, and a dazzling charm that he can switch on and off at will.  He has the assured, twinkling air of a gentleman who might also be a rogue – and lately he has played not just one but two undoubted rogues in two separate movies, each on opposite sides of the law: Minister of the Interior in Ott we Far, and an underworld career criminal in Regatta.

The latter hit controversy before its release by falling foul of the censors for bad language, though Hemeida brushes this aside. “There was a sentence or two in the trailer that some people found obscene. It was not obscene; it was street language commonly in use. I believe they removed one word.”

More importantly, the role of Ragab in Regatta was one he obviously relished, “The challenge for me was to make Ragab unique, and appealing. When I am playing an evil character I look inside myself to bring that evil out and enable the audience to identify with it, because we all have it in there somewhere. The process is actually a cleansing one; by acting it out I can then release it.”

In the past, identification with the character has been a hazard of the job though. “I’ve enjoyed every role I’ve played, but some have been very heavy. In 2004, after playing a severely crushed personality in Baheb El Cinema I ended up in hospital for six weeks. I felt literally weighed down by mountains of worries.”

This kind of experience prompted Hemeida to analyse and develop his own acting method, which he describes as, “a mixture of techniques that I arrived at by accident. When I first took acting lessons I was seventeen. It was by the book – except that there is no such thing as the book. That’s for the teacher, not the student. Supposedly the teacher is a mirror for the student – only in acting there are no mirrors. In dancing yes, but not acting! So I arrived at my own method by which I became both student and teacher, learning how to be both in the character and outside simultaneously  – almost like playing with a marionette.”

Part of this process came through studying bodywork in Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques. “The body is the instrument the actor uses, and we must know our instrument. Everything from blood pressure to nerves to muscles are affected while you are acting, and to this end I studied anatomy to understand and learn to control these things better – and not to end up in the hospital with high blood pressure!”

Poetry and meditation also play a daily role in Hemeida’s life, probably helping to keep that high blood pressure at bay.

“I do half an hour’s meditation daily. When I first began to meditate I didn’t even know that was what I was doing. I would find myself concentrating on something, like a tiny leaf, or I’d lie on the floor and close my eyes.”

Does he write any poetry himself? “No, only what I make up to read to my grand-daughters – nothing serious,” he says. But he is, and has always been, an avid bookworm.

“There is no-one in the world that I’d like to meet that I haven’t already met through books. I remember once I was playing snooker with a friend and I was reading a book about Taha Hussein between shots. When he asked me why, I explained that later that evening I was due to sit with Taha Hussein – meaning in a book  – so I was trying to familiarize myself with him. My friend thought I was crazy.”

Yet when it comes to researching a role, Hemeida puts books away. “I always use the script as my reference, nothing else. My aim is to catch the spirit of what the script-writer has created. Even when playing a historical character I refer only to the scenario in front of me.”

Ott we Far allows Hemeida to explore more of a comedy role, something he says he hasn’t had that many chances to do. But he has no preference between comedy and drama. “I like both, and in both I apply myself to the job and get on with it. First and foremost I have to enjoy myself – otherwise the audience won’t be entertained.”

The eyebrow lifts again, and with such a heavy dose of charm emanating from behind the desk it seems appropriate to ask, what does he find most attractive in a woman?

“Her soul,” is his instant reply. “I see it and I feel it. But sometimes it might be something other people don’t see at all.”

Villain, lover or both, it seems Mahmoud Hemeida has it all under control. In whatever movie you catch him this year, be prepared to be entertained!

Hana Shiha

Asrar El Beyout and More

A Chat with Hana Shiha

By Francesca Sullivan

Hana Shiha sits in Paul café in Mall of Arabia emanating an air of calm confidence. The unassuming sweetness relayed clearly in the interview is a far cry from the character she played in last Ramadan’s El SabaaWasaya (The Seven Commandments) a sobering tale of seven siblings who conspire to kill their own father. She will star in two new major series this year, one in Ramadan: The Pledge (El-Aahd) , a fantasy historical drama dealing with the struggles between a family dynasty (an Egyptian Game of Thrones perhaps?) and the other, a whopping sixty episode mystery drama called Asrar El Beyout  (The Secrets of Houses). Not only this, she also stars in the new Mohamed Khan movie due out soon.

Shiha has been turning out consistently well-received performances since she first appeared on the big screen in Khaled el Hagar’s Hob El Banetin 2004. From a well-known artistic family (her father is a painter, and two of her sisters, Hala and Maya, are also actresses), she has turned her talents to TV sitcoms, drama and movies, even hosting her own comedy show in 2009. Cairo West Magazine caught up with her to find out about her latest projects, and take a glimpse into her busy life.

How different is your coming Ramadan series, The Pledge (Al Aahd), from last year’s series El Sabaa Wasaya?

In many ways it’s completely different. To begin with, whereas El SabaaWasaya was a contemporary story set in a very real place – the lower class areas of Cairo – Al Ahad takes place in a parallel world of un-named location, and at an indeterminate time. The costuming though is kind of ethnic 19th century. In the story, I play one of several main characters, part of a family dynasty, fighting for supremacy over three lands.

The series is produced by TVision, and heralds a major development in Egyptian TV drama as it will contain a lot of graphics to create the fantasy world, sort of along the lines of Lord of the Rings. We’ve filmed in lots of different locations, including Siwa, Wahat, Fayoum, and they have even created an entire village set from scratch in Mansouria.

I co-star with more than ten other actors including Arwa Gouda, Ghada Adel and AserYassin, and the script writer Mohamed Amin Razi (he also did NiraanSadiqa or ‘Friendly Fire’) is actually the same as for El SabaaWasaya. He has a slightly controversial way of working with actors, using complex story-lines with multiple characters.

What moments stand out in your memory from of El Sabaa Wasaya?

First of all the series was a smash hit, which was quite overwhelming. It was a far stretch for me to play the character of EmEm, a girl living below the poverty line whose descent into evil was hard to imagine. I worked with the director to try to get to the bottom of her, a person whose method of operating was to lay blame to others, who hypocritically went to pray even after committing sins. But she did intrigue me, and once I’d taken the first steps to understand her, I began to know how she could carry on the way she did. The relationship between EmEm and her husband Arnous really seemed to capture the public’s imagination; they believed in it totally. The thing with creating art is that even when you put your heart and soul into creating characters you can never predict the audiences’ reaction.

We did have some really funny moments during filming, and sometimes at the most dramatic times in the story. I remember the scene where the brothers are all there plotting the murder of our Dad and how it was going to be done. We kept descending into giggles every time Mohamed Shaheen said a particular line – and it was supposed to be a dark moment.

How do you prepare for a role?

To research a character I go to the street and observe real people, not only how they speak or move, but their attitudes. I never take references from other actors or performances. As actors we have all the tools that we need inside us. Every human has a heart diagram with ups and downs, all the range of emotions, and if my character has a less moderate way of expressing her emotion I simply amplify my own – that’s the method. In time I will become her – and then the challenge is to get rid of her afterwards; to reverse the process by which I was sucked into her – especially a character like EmEm! This sometimes needs work: meditation, healing.

You have just finished filming Asrar El Beyout (The Secrets of Houses) what message do you think it delivers to the audience?

The script for this series is interesting as it’s been created by the Clockwork Temptation  workshop of writers under the direction of  Dr.Karim el Adl, with supervision again by Mohamed Amin Razi. It’s a sixty episode series with so many lines that each writer gets to work on different parts of the script. My character Walaa seems on the surface an angel of mercy, working as a carer for an old lady – but then we discover she’s using her job as a front for another business. I like the layers in her. She is one of four girls working in a large residential compound, all related to the same man who has either been killed or has committed suicide. That’s the mystery.

What is its message? I can’t elaborate too much, but suffice to say that stories cannot always have a happy ending, and sometimes the bad guy just has to win! In Egypt we have always liked realism, and perhaps that is why there has never been much of a tradition of, say, political conspiracy movies until now. It wasn’t possible for us to get inside that world, but perhaps now, post the 2011 revolution, we can show more of what goes on behind the scenes and make it believable.

Asrar el Beyout will be aired in May, as the producers want to get away from only showing series during Ramadan, and it will have two seasons. In Season one the characters will get themselves into a certain situation, then in Series two they will have to resolve it.

 

What can you tell us about your new movie with director Mohamed Khan?

It’s called AblZahmat el Seyf (Before the Summer Crowds), and we finished shooting it in November. It had been a long time since I’d shot a cinema movie after working so much in TV series, and I was so happy to be back – especially in a film by Mohamed Khan, whose work I respect very much. It was an honour to be chosen as one of his leading ladies. I especially loved the shooting because it had a really different, nostalgic feeling, like one of those movies from the 1960’s I used to watch when I was a little girl. Perhaps that was because we shot it far away from everything on the North Coast, and it was quite different from a typical set. I play one of five characters, along with Ahmed Dawood, Magid el Halawani, Lana Mushtak and Hany el Mitawani, and the story is basically about two couples and an observer. The script, by first timer RhadaShahbandar, feels very authentic, and my character is one I found easy to get close to.

What advice would you offer women who are juggling work and domestic responsibilities, and how do you personally cope with such a busy schedule and family life?

First of all I believe women should work, and set an example for their children. I have two boys aged twelve and eight, and I’ve made sure they understood from an early age what my work involves. They’ve often been on the set when I’m shooting so I can show them why it is so time consuming. They are very supportive and love what I do; I’ll often come home late and find notes from them: we made you a cup of coffee for when you come home (it will be cold!) So when I’m shooting I vanish, but then when I’m there I’m really there, giving them quality time. You should never take anger or work frustration out on your children. Be their role model and show them the meaning of responsibility.

 

 

Late night or early riser?

Both! I’m naturally an early riser and like to get up at 6am, but when I work I become a night person.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee.

Sand or snow?

Sand.

Favourite store/restaurant in Cairo?

I’m not into brands, I’ll shop wherever I find something I like. I love Starbucks in Dandy Mall and Paul in Mall of Arabia.

5 essential items you can’t travel without?

Day and night cream, my phone and charger, a book, lots of cash, and lots of pairs of shoes!

 

Favourite book?                                                                    

Veronica Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho.

Any current song on repeat?

‘Counting Stars’ by One Republic, and anything by Sade.

Last place you went on holiday to?

London

Who’s the last person you dialled on your phone?

My Mum

What’s the best piece of relationship advice you’ve ever heard/had?

Here’s a piece of relationship advice I’d give others: Don’t change anything in yourself to accommodate another person. If it’s not really you, sooner or later the real you will come out!

 

Your February stars

It’s Valentine’s month! Like it or not, the focus for many is on significant relationships. Are you in one? Do you want one? Or like many of us, are you just plain confused about the whole business…

Let’s see how the month lines up for us romantically, and otherwise. It may be worth bearing in mind that Mercury is in retrograde until the 11th of February, creating his own brand of havoc. Watch out for misunderstandings, equipment malfunction and the occasional brain-freeze.

 

 

Aries

21 March –20 April

Something’s coming, something good… But Aries is not the most patient of zodiac signs, so how are you going to manage to battle through the first three weeks until both Venus and Mars cosy up in your sign? Special days are the 20th to 22nd, especially if your birthday falls around the 23rd of March. Romance is full on!

Taurus

21 April –21 May

For singles a friendship may have been slowly blossoming into something more, behind the scenes. You may not be ready to let people know until you feel sure about things yourself. Slow and steady suits Taurus just fine, so don’t feel that you have to rush things. Again, the period from the 20th to 22nd is great for romance.

Gemini

 22 May –21 June

Love pops up when and where you least expect it. So, make sure you give it a chance by being in the right place at the right time. Sports clubs are great venues for singles, or any other place where like-minded souls gather. The last week of the month sees the Moon putting you in the spotlight for a few days, look your best! Married Gemini’s could revive romance with a trip out of town.

Cancer

22 June –22 July

This may not be a month when you feel that Cupid has you in his sights. Maybe you are in the mood for a little soul-searching and clarity regarding a key relationship. There may be an important event coming up later in the month, if you attend with your significant other the excitement should give your love life the boost it needs.

Leo

23 July –22 August

Unattached Leos have every chance of meeting someone special this month.  There is a definite exotic flavouraround, it could be someone from a distant location or culture.  Places of education seem to figure in the picture somehow. Make the most of the days around the 4th February, your mood should be upbeat.

 

Virgo

23 August –23 September

Venus, the planet of love, cruises through your solar 7th house of partnerships for the first three weeks of February, so you should be making the most of it. Just take care on the 1st that your judgment isn’t clouded by wishful thinking. People will generally be open and receptive to you, so get out and interact. If you are already married or committed it is perfect opportunity to spend quality time together.

Libra

24 September – 23 October

Feeling battered and bruised from the ups and downs you have faced recently? Take heart, Mars and your ruling planet Venus are teaming up as the month winds down, bringing you a bonus in the form of a massive boost to your love life. Yes, someone cares about you very much! Married Libras will appreciate the warmth of family time, it is a good excuse to make a purchase you can all enjoy together at home.

Scorpio

24 October –22 November

Lucky you! This is a month when Scorpio can really feel the love. The first three weeks are super for enjoying the company of someone you care about, and for singles there are ample opportunities to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. Neptune and Venus intertwine to create an air of intrigue and illusion, romantic yes, but also deceptive. Proceed with caution!

Sagittarius

23 November –21 December

Are you feeling it yet? That’s right, that taskmaster Saturn has started his journey through your birth-sign, meaning that the coming couple of years with be an important period for you. There may be added responsibilities, and a maturing process, but hey, February has good news as well. The final week of February sees Mars and Venus teaming up to bring some pizzazz to your love life! A new romance for some?

Capricorn

22 December –20 January

Family matters may be consuming a lot of your time, but you are good at putting on a brave face and getting on with things. So, while you may be finding it hard to find time for flitting around with social activities, married Capricorns can make home a haven and true love nest. The 26th is a day for both constructive action and relaxation, maybe wind up the evening with a good movie?

Aquarius

21 January –19 February

With Jupiter still nicely placed in your 7th house of key relationships you can hardly complain about lack of opportunities. It’s not just about romance, it is really about people valuing you and giving you positive feedback as well. It’s your birth month too, and the 1st and 2nd of February could hold some nice surprises for you. Finances could gradually improve, meaning you can spend a little more freely.

Pisces

20 February –20 March

Oh, the vagaries of love. Emotionally sensitive Pisces is dealing with the transit of planetary ruler, nebulous Neptune. This means that you can be victim of illusion and delusion, wishful-thinking and self-deception. Or, on the up-side, ecstatic bliss. Venus will be playing around in the mix, so unattached Pisceans could be swept off their feet at any moment. Just don’t forget that all important background check.

 

 

HOW YOU’RE GOING TO BE WORKING OUT IN 2015

How you’re going to be working out in 2015

This year, your workout is about to get even easier. A survey by the American College of Sports Medicine predicts that bodyweight training will be 2015’s hottest workout. Why not put away your Zumba shoes, hang up your boxing gloves, and get ahead of the trend by incorporating bodyweight exercises into your routine.

And, not only are these workouts simple to do, but they’re also superefficient. The combination of strength and cardio means you’ll be blasting fat in no time. Plus, they’re so varied, there’s no chance you’ll get bored. So get a leg up on the new year by trying out a bodyweight workout.

Top 20 worldwide fitness trends for 2015

  1. Body weight training
  2. High-intensity interval training
  3. Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals
  4. Strength training
  5. Personal training
  6. Exercise and weight loss
  7. Yoga
  8. Fitness programs for older adults
  9. Functional fitness
  10. Group personal training
  11. Worksite health promotion
  12. Outdoor activities
  13. Wellness coaching
  14. Circuit training
  15. Core training
  16. Sport-specific training
  17. Children and exercise for the treatment/prevention of obesity
  18. Outcome measurements
  19. Worker incentive programs
  20. Boot camp

 

Dans tout ses Estats

Tribal Chic in Gouna

By Nadine Chamaa

The Inspiration

This collection was inspired by my own desire to  get closer to nature ,  therefore showing the tribal feel, closer to earth, closer to animal, closer to our own instincts  being more in touch with what’s real…it’s a mixture between being a cat and a woman…it’s  feminine, and feline like a cat-woman!

The Photographer

Danielle is a freelance director/photographer and ex-Executive Creative Director of Leo Burnett’s Beirut office, her work has always inspired me.

The Model

Jill is a friend of mine. She was also a top model for Issey Miyake and many other top designers in the past.

The Photo-shoot

We were all in El Gouna over the festive season. We were sitting around enjoying the atmosphere and just put it all together. It took two hours, on the 31st at sunset.

No make-up, no hairstylist, no shoes, no lights, no studio. It was made just as this collection was created, the best work happens using nature and real people…set in beautiful scenery with perfect sunlight and inspiring women.

Staying on Course

Marriage Counselling with

Maryam Maafa

By Francesca Sullivan

 

In a culture where couples are not encouraged to take problems in their relationship to an ‘outsider’, marriage guidance has struggled to find a foothold in Egypt. Relationship and marriage counselling is a relatively recent form of therapy, and it’s not always easy to find a professional in this field. One such person is Maryam Maafa, an AUC graduate with a Master’s degree in counselling psychology, who works with individuals but has increasingly found herself in the sphere of marriage guidance, and has a lot to say on what helps couples stay together – and what to do when things start to fall apart. Cairo West Magazine went to meet her.

What are warning signs that a couple might need to reinvigorate their relationship?

Disconnected: When you realize you are spending less and less quality time together. Even though you may be together physically, you are not together on an emotional level.

Forgetting the ‘why’: You are losing the vision in the relationship; forgetting what made you choose each other in the first place, and this could be as a result of power struggles, communication problems, poor problem solving and conflicting values.

Famous psychologist John Gottman named the four most important precursors to divorce: criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling. These types of behaviours are more difficult to handle even than issues such as infidelity. The pointing of fingers and blaming that goes on in a marriage can be similar to that of sibling rivalry. Instead of trying to resolve problems, both parties deteriorate to finger-pointing and blaming one another.

Loss of hope: When one partner withdraws and no longer invests in the relationship, it’s a defence mechanism that should be taken seriously.

And not to forget the obvious warning signs that include violence, abuse, sexual dissatisfaction and infidelity.

What are the best ways of opening up channels of communication, especially on touchy subjects?

First of all, before beginning a discussion on any touchy subject, decide what your expectation is, and also your motivation for wanting to open the subject. Is it to understand your partner’s point of view? Are you really ready to hear it? Set the stage for the discussion in an appropriate way. Choose the right time and place carefully so you are not interrupted, and make sure that both of you are calm. Show love and respect to your partner no matter what the outcome. This could be done through listening without interrupting and being clear. Women and men tend to communicate differently; remember your partner cannot read your mind if certain answers are not enough and not clear, request elaboration. You must both reach an agreement together. Make sure to follow up on the agreement and agree together when is the appropriate time to follow up.

I see over and over that when people are really at each other’s necks, it’s important to remind them that they really do care about each other and this is simply done by asking them what attracted them to each other to begin with.

It takes a great deal of trust in the counsellor for couples to come out in the open and discuss personal subjects, but I often get a gut feeling from the first session as to what the underlying issue might be. Often the supposed issue is actually covering up something deeper, which I try to bring out.

What should you do if you find out your spouse is cheating (for example, should you confront them?)

It depends. Cheating has many variables and dimensions and there are different ways to handle such issues. It is important not to take it personally. If you are driven by your emotions it is more likely things will blow out of proportion. When someone finds out that their spouse is cheating they usually react impulsively and that may include wanting to seek revenge, or confronting in a manner that is neither constructive nor manageable. It is crucial not to tell friends and family about the infidelity, as later, if you decide to stay together, things can become awkward.  Also you should not waste your energy on focusing on the third party involved, since the problem lies with your partner.

When you have managed to calm down, think about what you want. Do you want to confront? If yes, then why do you want to confront? Is to know the truth or to work things out, or to get a divorce? You need to weigh things out on all the perspectives. Can you handle a separation? If you confront the other person, are you prepared for the possibility they may leave or stay? Have you considered that they may become violent when accused? You have to take all these things into consideration, and be prepared.

You also need to provide proof of the infidelity (because they will usually deny it), and a plan of what to do next. Again, plan the right time and place to have the confrontation. Make sure you are clear and maintain a focus on what you want out of it.

Even if you choose not to confront your spouse for whatever reason, I recommend individual counselling work on developing yourself to becoming stronger or learning to cope, and as you change perhaps your partner will too.

Is it healthy for couples to revisit past issues?

I feel that this is something that completely depends on the individual couple. Whether or not you open up past subjects depends on how resilient you both are; how strong your relationship is. I cannot generalize.

How do children factor into marital problems?

A lot of parents forget that their children are a reflection of themselves. Conflict between parents can cause stress and behavioural problems in their children. After you’ve had an argument that they’ve been exposed to, communicate with them; check in to find out how they are feeling. If it comes to divorce, then you really must discuss and communicate. One of the biggest challenges and problems I see here in Egypt is how children are prepared and informed during a divorce. Parents should always talk about each other with respect in front of their children, even during times of conflict. It is paramount to the way the children feel about themselves, and to their own emotional development.

What are the key ways to maintain a good marriage?

Effective communication. To recognize that a marriage is not a flat line, it’s a constant work in progress, with highs and lows. Life transitions, ageing, changing career paths, death in the family, all these things need to be gone through over time.

Be kind to one another, compliment each other, accept each other’s weaknesses. Maintain intimacy and passion, but accept that this goes through ebbs and flows also. Set boundaries and family values together, give each other time and space on your own. Go on regular date nights when you make a point of not talking about family issues, but just have fun and share intimacy. To sum up, it’s an on-going connection that you never stop working on.

How prevalent are sexual problems in Egypt, what are the typical ones, and to what can they be attributed?

Sexual problems are quite prevalent due to different causes, and in marriage counselling couples come for specific problems that often include sexual issues. Usually the sexual issues have an underlying psychological factor. When this is the case I explore and help the couples and sometimes I may need to refer to a sexologist.

How well prepared are young people about the realities and responsibilities of marriage?

Before marriage a couple should make sure to discuss their values, goals and priorities in life. Questions such as their religion, where they want to live, whether they want children and how many, their parenting styles, and finances, these are all important issues to talk about before you commit to each other. It’s interesting how unaware people can be of their own or their partner’s spending habits, and money issues are often a major cause of marriage problems. They should also discuss family boundaries and obligations, questions such as when and how often family and friends can come over. Even superficial things are important to talk about, whether it’s where you plan to go on vacation, or whether or not you like TV in the bedroom.

If you have exhausted all avenues, how many chances should you give your marriage?

At least try counselling! It can really help to have an independent mediator who is impartial and here to help, with methods you may not have been aware of. Even if your spouse refuses to go for counselling, working on your own with a counsellor can help you find new ways of dealing with situations, and learn more about your own behaviours. If you really think you have exhausted all avenues, what have you got to lose?

 

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