Maga Woman Magazine - issue #8

— #8 

Lifestyle Magazine for Women Over 45 

Best Essential Oils for 

Menopause 

Let’s Go 

Hiking 

My Menopause 

Story 

The Rise of 

The Tiny 

House 

Intimacy 

Beyond50

Editor 

Angela Counsel 

angela@angelacounsel.com 

Graphic Design 

Rusdi Saleh 

Contributor Enquiries 

http://bit.ly/mwp_magazine_contributor 

Advertiser Enquiries 

http://bit.ly/mwp_magazine_contributor 

Photo Credits 

Images supplied by contributors 

Stock Images by Unsplash.com 

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Maga Women Magazine

Welcome 

Click for Youtube video 

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Contributors 

We would like to thank all our contributors to this issue of the Maga Woman Magazine, 

with their support we would not be able to share so much great information with you. 

If you liked any specific article and would be interested in learning more, please visit 

the website of the contributor to see what they have to offer. 

Angela Counsel 

Women’s Transformation Coach 

www.angelacounsel.com 

Taryn Harvey 

Transformational Tantra Teacher 

www.tarynharvey.com 

Sonia Wray 

Fitness and Trekking Leader 

www.trekkingadventures.com.au 

Caitlin Grace 

Yoni Egg & Self-Love Coach 

www.caitlingraceauthor.com 

Chantal Vanderhaeghen 

Intuitive Guide 

www.unfoldyoufreedom.com.au 

Jo Duffy 

Blog Writer 

http://duffythewriterblog.com 

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Content 

6 

Why We Need Intimacy 

to Thrive Beyond Fifty 

10 

Top 9 Essential Oils 

for use in Menopause 

14 Let’s Go Hiking! 

20 

I was praying for Menopause 

but not in a good way 

The Big Rise Of 

24 A journey of discovery 30 The Tiny House 

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Why We Need Intimacy 

Beyond 

toThrive 

Fifty 

Written by: Taryn Harvey 

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As I begin writing, I feel its best 

to explain firstly what Tantra is. 

Tantra is a whole body, mind and 

spiritual alignment of living as a 

conscious man and woman. As 

physical beings with a soul that 

resonates via energy centres 

known as chakras, we often feel most ecstatic 

when we are united in love (not always 

externally with another), therefore Tantra 

simply means ‘to weave’ or ‘a coming together 

of two forces. 

And what about tantric sex? 

Well, contrary to Western belief – it isn’t about 

sex per se. It just so happens that our sexuality 

has been privy to so much repression over 

the course of a few centuries, that society did 

indeed swing too far one way in its search 

for understanding our human desires. As the 

pendulum swung back, it sits here idling at the 

centre, where we are now able to feel into the 

truth of our existence. 

We are waking up and relinquishing the 

beliefs of generations past. 

Today it’s exhilarating to see new paradigms 

being adapted by younger generations. 

Goddess mythology is essentially part of this 

uprising for women as they embrace this very 

lost concept of The Divine Feminine. 

What has this all got to do with 

being a Maga Woman? 

Everything. 

It’s about us witnessing this shift. We are a 

prime mover at a time when Unity & Divinity 

is being integrated back into our everyday 

lives. It’s also about healing the rift between 

sexes. Not only are we the generation who 

has revealed the deep wounding of patriarchy, 

we are calling out religious doctrine and the 

displacement of women’s wisdom once pushed 

into the back alleys. 

“Once upon a time” isn’t always for fairy 

tales. There are written passages in Holy 

Gnostic books that highlight fact; women once 

held the villages together by conducting rituals 

and holding space. They were the Priestesses. 

They were the revered Wise Women who knew 

about such things as orgasmic empowerment 

and sexual pleasure as a key to Life. 

For women of my generation, I get how 

confusing all this talk about intimacy has been. 

Many of us grew up in the shadows of sexual 

shaming that our mothers endured. A great 

deal of sexuality, from the very beginning of 

menstruation to birthing, was put right in there 

with copulation being spurned as dirty, evil – 

a Sin! Women got married, had babies and 

then sat quietly amongst their friends, never 

to openly discuss such natural experiences as 

orgasm. Nor would they allow themselves to 

be seen as lush for fear of judgement. Women 

were ostracised for such discussions. Even 

midwives lived in sworn secrecy of their craft. 

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This is why Tantra practices can 

heal and empower us today. 

Of course we women in the Western world no 

longer live in fear of marital entrapment. Nor 

do we readily accept judgement of our sexual 

or relationship choices. Today we’ve reclaimed 

our reverence and filled this gap with majesty 

once again. 

As Magestic Wise Women, we have been 

able to release old scripts running through our 

lives. Our relationships have often been tainted 

by expectations and fear, and yet we have 

learned to pave a new era for the return of the 

Sage. We’ve come to know, understand and 

heal with forgiveness our passion and freedom 

has been restored. 

So, how can you restore and 

nourish your sexual power centre? 

To honour this powerful stage of transition, 

it’s important to be really clear on reclaiming 

our health and vitality. Tantra practices help 

For women of 

my generation, 

I get how 

confusing all 

this talk about 

intimacy has been. 

maintain all elements of the body, therefore 

here are the 5 main keys for you to apply: 

Breathe deeply into your belly. This is the 

place of birth and regeneration – our sacred 

cup always needs refilling. 

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Movement, such as walking, play, dance 

(yoga is the foundation of Tantra practice). 

Tantric embodiment asks for you to keep 

moving it (or yes, you will lose it!). Our sacral 

chakra (belly region) require that we always 

recall joy, intimacy and pleasure to create 

this as our reality. 

Touch your body with deep reverence. 

Become familiar with your yoni (vagina) 

and breasts (heart centre) to ensure 

love is always in flow. Where there is any 

resentments or acceptance of beliefs such 

as ‘I’m too old”, or “I won’t ever have a lover”, 

there will be breast & sexual health issues 

which accelerate ageing. 

Polarise yourself in everyday beauty. 

Ground & feed your senses (Polarity 

incorporates the balancing of nature in our 

external world with the nurturing we require 

internally; taste, smells, colours in the felt 

sense will keep our base chakra activated) 

LOVE your life – love your body, own your 

choices and always have a voice in all 

partnerships (and not just your intimate 

relationship, but even with your children 

and work colleagues. Often these are the 

situations that drain our sacral chakra of 

energy that is also required for abundance 

and sexual energy.) 

Blessings, 

Taryn 

About Taryn Harvey 

(Transformational 

Tantra Teacher) 

As a passionate 

advocate & leader in 

healing sexual shame, 

Taryn’s genuine approach 

and expansive knowledge 

around sexual health and body wisdom 

has inspired practitioners & spiritual 

seekers globally. Woven within a 

traditional framework that Tantra can 

provide, Taryn teaches practices that 

are more easily adapted into a modern 

day world. Given her experience, she 

has simplified this most powerful 

alchemic combination and created one 

unique modality. 

Taryn has written a successful memoir, 

speaking in the media on TV locally and 

radio internationally. She runs women’s 

sexuality events, couples’ workshops, 

global retreats and conducts deep, 

integrative sessions when she’s not 

teaching her Tantra program at 

Awareness Institute Sydney. 

You can keep in touch here: 

Twitter: @intimacyhealer 

Instagram: @taryn_intimacyhealing 

Website: www.tarynharvey.com 

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Top 9 

Essential Oils 

for use in Menopause 

Written by: Angela Counsel 

Essential oils have been 

around for centuries, 

used in many cultures 

for a variety of reasons. 

Treating ill-health or proactively 

managing good health. As we 

become more aware of the 

importance of our own wellness 

in this fast-paced world, essential 

oils have become a great tool for many busy 

women. 

I use them all the time. If you’ve ever come 

to one of my events, I burn essential oils that 

encourage openness and honesty. And of 

course, they make the room smell just beautiful 

too. 

Essential oils are a great way to manage 

many of the different symptoms that occur 

when you are in the peri-menopause and 

menopause stage of your life. A few drops of oil 

blended with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet 

almond etc) can help you feel great. You can 

also drop a few drops of a particular oil into a 

diffuser and allow the scent to waft over you. 

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Remember that essential oils have a very 

strong therapeutic effect and it only requires 

a few drops to do the job – more is not better 

in the case of oils. Never take essential oils 

internally, if the incorrect oil is taken you could 

find yourself very sick. 

I have listed some of the most common 

essential oils that can be used in menopause, 

these oils are generally safe for most women 

but if you are not sure please consult a 

qualified Aromatherapist. 

Clary Sage 

Clary sage essential oil is hands down the 

number one oil for the all-around treatment 

of menopause. With natural phytoestrogens 

that simulate the effects of estrogen on the 

body, clary sage essential oil helps balance 

your hormones, which has a domino effect on 

menopause symptoms. Clary sage essential 

oil decreases anxiety by lowering cortisol 

production, reduces hot flashes, and helps 

fight weight gain. This well-studied oil also 

quells insomnia and eases spasms that can 

accompany painful menstrual periods during 

the transition into menopause. 

Roman Chamomile 

Roman chamomile essential oil is another 

popular natural aid during menopause. It 

alleviates stress (which also helps with sleep) 

and reduces pain, especially headaches that 

are common during this time. If you are 

experiencing skin problems during menopause, 

roman chamomile essential oil can calm 

breakouts and reduce inflammation. Roman 

chamomile essential oil is also an excellent 

choice to help regulate irregular menstrual 

periods in the months leading up to full 

menopause. 

Peppermint 

If you suffer from menopausal hot flashes and 

night sweats, peppermint should be your go-to 

essential oil. Its menthol components provide 

cooling relief– just don’t use it on your face or 

mucous membranes where it can be an irritant. 

Peppermint essential oil is also energizing if 

menopause saps your vitality, and even using 

it in a diffuser can give you more pep. This 

essential oil is ideal to calm headaches and 

nausea too. 

Basil has been 

shown to improve 

focus and fight 

both mental and 

physical fatigue, 

which makes it 

perfect for 

menopause 

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Lavender 

Basil 

Between night sweats and insomnia, 

menopause can do a number on your sleep. 

Lavender essential oil can counter those 

symptoms, allowing you to relax and enjoy 

deep slumber to get the rest you need. 

Lavender is very well studied for this use, and it 

is safer than sleeping pills or other prescription 

medications. Lavender essential oil is also 

an excellent choice if you find your heart 

racing–a common problem for women in early 

menopause. 

Cypress 

Cypress essential oil is another oil to combat 

a wide range of menopause symptoms. It 

reduces hot flashes, calms irritability, and 

relaxes tense muscles. Cypress essential oil 

also decreases fluid retention, swelling, and 

bloating, while detoxifying the lymph system. 

It improves blood flow and hastens the end of 

drawn-out, heavy periods too. 

Do you have problems with menopause-related 

brain fog and loss of concentration? Basil has 

been shown to improve focus and fight both 

mental and physical fatigue, which makes 

it perfect for menopause. This energizing 

essential oil is ideal for topical, aromatherapy, 

and internal use. 

Thyme 

Thyme is another essential oil with hormone 

balancing chemical compounds. Additionally, 

thyme essential oil calms fragile nerves and 

improves memory and concentration. If you 

suffer from menstrual cramps–a frequent 

problem during the final menstrual cycles 

or even during “phantom” periods after 

menopause–thyme essential oil can offer 

pain relief. When used in skin preparations, 

thyme essential oil can tone aging skin that 

accompanies menopause. 

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Essential Oil Blend to 

Balance Your Hormones 

Ingredients: 

5 drops Clary Sage 

5 drops Geranium 

5 drops Ylang Ylang 

5 drops Jasmine 

5 drops Thyme 

50ml carrier oil of choice eg argan, 

jojoba, sweet almond etc 

Directions: 

Combine the essential oils in a small 

glass bottle with a dropper 

Top with the carrier oil. 

Geranium 

Shake the bottle gently between the 

palms to blend the ingredients. 

Apply daily and massage into the 

body or add it to your bath water. 

(Hint: for a less oily formulation, use the 

same essential oils, but combine them 

to 50gm of scent-free body lotion.) 

Geranium is yet another essential oil ideal 

for cooling night sweats and hot flashes. It 

hydrates dry skin and balances raw emotions. 

Use geranium essential oil in a diffuser or 

perfume product to alleviate anger and 

depression during menopause. This essential 

oil combines particularly well with clary sage 

essential oil for multi-symptom menopause 

relief. 

Ylang Ylang 

Like geranium essential oil, ylang-ylang 

essential oil is perfect to combat menopausal 

mood swings. This balancing essential oil is 

wonderfully fragrant and ideal for use in bath 

and body recipes. When used topically or in 

the bath water, ylang-ylang essential oil also 

improves sluggish circulation. 

I personally use and recommend 

Twenty8 Essential oils. These oils are 

all certified organic and are Australian 

made from the highest quality 

ingredients. You can purchase your 

Essential Oils HERE 

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Let’s Go 

Hiking! 

Written by: Sonia Wray 

I was 46 when I discovered hiking and 

I haven’t looked back. My hobby in 2009 

turned into my career in 2015. 

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Like most, Machu Picchu was on the 

bucket list, but I thought rather than 

just go and see it why not hike the 

famous Inca Trail. With no hiking 

knowledge I bought a pair of hiking shoes (after 

a friend recommended it) walked a few streets 

in Sydney and headed to Peru to trek this iconic 

track. 

All I can say thank you to my friend for the 

tip on hiking shoes, and goodness did I learn a 

lot on that trip! 

Fast forward the clock to 2014, I was inbetween 

jobs. As I had a few months to spare, 

I decided to Climb Mera Peak in Nepal. This 

is a trekking mountain which has a summit at 

6400m. After the Inca Trail, I had since climbed 

Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mt Elbrus in Russia, 

trekked the Milford Track and walked our iconic 

100KM Coastrek, so, I was ready for this next 

challenge. 

I wrote myself a 6-week fitness program 

covering Strength, Cardio and endurance 

hiking. The Mera Peak Expedition was 25 days 

of trekking in Nepal. My journal quotes “its 

been 5 days of hiking and no flat stretches. I 

think if I tally up all the kilometres and all the 

flat bits together we might have done 500m of 

flat out of 40km of hiking.“ However what I did 

notice was I was feeling fantastic, my body was 

prepared for this adventure, much more than it 

had ever been on previous treks. 

I was fit, I felt fabulous and I was over fifty! 

When my new job didn’t work out in late 

2015, I decided it was time to escape the IT 

Corporate world and find a new passion. It was 

then I realised I could help people prepare for 

treks and offer fitness services for those who 

were like me, over 50 and who wanted to be Fit 

and Fabulous 

In 2015 Sterling Results Fitness Club was 

established which caters for those “who are or 

who want to be Fit Fabulous and Over 50” with 

an emphasis on hiking for fitness. 

Each weekend I take out a range of 

likeminded people who enjoy keeping fit in 

nature. They all remark how much more they 

enjoy this kind of fitness rather than working 

out on a treadmill or running. 

Are they getting any benefits? 

Absolutely … below are what I think are the 

7 benefits of hiking 

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Ease stress levels 

Improve your cardiovascular fitness 

One of the major advantages of hiking may be 

the restorative and stress-relieving powers of 

being outside in nature. A number of studies 

show that spending time in nature may ease 

people’s stress levels. 

Further research shows that using hiking 

as an additional therapy can help people 

with severe depression feel less hopeless, 

depressed and suicidal. 

Breathing in antimicrobial compounds found 

in the essential oils of trees increases relaxation 

and improves stress management resulting in 

increased vitality and less anxiety, depression, 

and anger. 

Tracey, one of my regular Hikers, has just 

had a month away from hiking due to work 

commitments and stated she “was starting to 

feel negative and depressed”, as soon as she 

hit the trails last weekend, she said “her mood 

was instantly improved and she felt her mental 

state was revived.” 

Hiking is a brilliant way to improve your 

cardiovascular fitness, particularly if your route 

includes some hills, which will force your heart 

to work harder. Hiking on the slightly uneven 

surface of a trail also provides a natural way to 

engage the core muscles in your torso and to 

hone your balance skills. 

And it doesn’t take long to see immediate 

results. Many of my clients who start hiking for 

the first time, find the first route quite tough on 

the cardiovascular system and their leg strength. 

Within several weeks of consistent weekly hikes, 

they can tackle hills easier with less stress on the 

heart, lungs and legs. 

Nearly everyone, regardless of age or athletic 

ability, can find a hike that offers the right level of 

personal challenge. 

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Hiking is a brilliant way to 

improve your cardiovascular 

fitness, particularly if your route 

includes some hills, which will 

force your heart to work harder. 

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Burns more calories 

Improves overall health conditions 

In just one hour of hiking you can burn well 

over 500 calories, depending on the level 

of incline and the weight of the pack you’re 

carrying. Most of our hikes are between 2-3 

hours so we easily make the 10,000 steps for 

the day and burn over 1000 calories. 

Hiking trails are softer on joints than 

asphalt or concrete, so it’s easier on your 

ankles and knees compared to running. Plus, 

we encourage the use of poles for an upper 

body workout and to take extra load of the 

Knee Joints. 

Giving the growing consensus that stress 

contributes to high blood pressure and heart 

disease risk, anything you can do to mitigate 

stress is likely helpful. 

Tones the whole body 

Regular hiking can get your butt in better 

shape, but taking on sharp inclines, using 

trekking poles to propel you forward, and 

clambering over rocks gives your body an 

all-over workout. Physiologically, you’re going 

to work your whole body, especially the 

lower body — namely the quads, glutes and 

hamstrings. If you’re carrying a pack, then 

you’re going to challenge the strength and 

endurance of your upper body as well. 

Hiking through the trails on a regular basis 

decreases blood pressure and cholesterol, thus 

reducing the danger of heart disease, diabetes 

and stroke for those at high-risk. In fact, 

hiking downhill is two times more effective at 

removing blood sugars and improving glucose 

tolerance; thereby helping you control, or even 

prevent, diabetes. Hiking gives your muscles 

a workout, which moves glucose from your 

bloodstream for energy. 

The recent study found that long distance 

hiking trips may improve the antioxidative 

capacity, which helps fight off disease, in 

the blood of oncological patients. Another 

study showed that breast cancer survivors 

who exercised regularly -- many in the form 

of hiking -- believed that physical activity 

complemented their recovery from cancer 

treatment. 

Hikers are Creative 

Research shows that spending time 

outdoors increases attention spans and 

creative problem-solving skills by as much 

as 50 percent. Researchers from Stanford 

University’s Graduate School of Education also 

found that walking gets the creative juices 

flowing far more than sitting. 

Many of my hikers are self-employed 

entrepreneurs, many new business ideas are 

formulated on these hikes, plus it is a great 

opportunity to share and test your creative 

ideas with the other hikers. 

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It’s a social activity 

A regular weekend meet-up or a planned longdistance 

trek can help you forge bonds while 

you shape up. Plus, interaction with the larger 

hiking community encourages you to engage 

with your workout as a lifestyle, rather than a 

chore, which will make you more likely to stick 

with it for the long haul. 

Here are some tips for 

a safe and enjoyable 

hiking experience: 

Wear hiking boots and invest in 

poles. Choose well-fitting footwear 

with good ankle support, I also 

recommend the use of poles for 

hiking in rough terrains or hikes will 

hills. 

Stay hydrated. Don’t forget to take 

plenty of water along. I recommend 

1 litre per hour. In warm, sunny 

weather, have a small bottle with 

Hydrolytes for extra Hydration. 

Be Aware of the Sun Remember 

Slip Slop & Slap. Always. As you are 

in the natural sunlight for many 

hours, it is imperative to always use 

sunblock and cover as necessary. 

Even at 8am in the morning, be 

prepared for those UV rays. 

Bring a map and hike with a partner 

or a group. A companion is good 

for both company and safety. If 

you go alone, let someone know 

when you plan to return. There 

are plenty of hiking groups, search 

meetup or the internet for one that 

suits you. 

Looking forward to seeing you on 

the trail soon, 

About Sonia Wray 

Sterling Results Fitness Club was 

established by Sonia Wray. At 50 years of 

age Sonia realised that to a live healthier 

and happier life was an important factor to 

aging; as such she transformed her career 

from a senior executive to a Personal 

Fitness Trainer, where her moto is being 

“Fit, Fabulous and Over 50”. 

Sonia is a lover of trekking high-altitude 

mountains and golf, as such she has 

designed programs specifically focussed on 

these areas. 

Sonia witnessed too many people struggle 

physically when going on their adventures 

of a lifetime, as such she wanted to help 

those embarking on a trek to be physically 

and mentally prepared. She loves helping 

clients get fitter in nature through her 

HIKEFit Program as well as building clients 

resistance to bone damage through her 

personal fitness training. 

Image Credit 

— All images provided 

by Sonia Wray 

Sonia 

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My Story: 

I was praying for 

Menopause but not 

in a good way 

Written by: Caitlin Grace 

Menopause is a word that often 

stirs fear in a woman’s heart. 

Fear of aging. Fear of becoming 

obsolete and invisible. Fear of 

drying up in all aspects of life. 

A general and pervasive sense of fear of the 

unknown in this youth obsessed culture. 

The trick is there is no clear time when you 

can say “I’m menopausal”. I lost count of the 

times I went to the doctors and listed all my 

symptoms only them to run tests and say. “You 

are nowhere near menopause”. Seriously, wtf 

was that all about? Hormone blood tests are 

a very blunt instrument for showing when you 

are moving into that transition phase of life, 

while saliva tests are far more accurate but you 

won’t get that at your local GP. 

I suffered with heavy bleeding from the 

moment I had my tubes tied at 30 and anemia 

was a constant issue. At one stage my GP said, 

“I don’t know how you even get out of bed in 

the morning”. To be honest I don’t know how 

I did it either. By this stage I was in my midforties 

and praying for menopause to just make 

it all stop already. No such luck. 

Eventually I got a Mirena fitted and my 

periods just stopped. Bliss! My iron levels 

went back up and I finally realised how much 

low iron had impacted my life. We have a 300 

metre driveway and walking down that would 

leave me feeling exhausted and ready for a 

nap, not to mention gasping for air. I thought I 

was just fat and unfit. Nope, low iron means low 

oxygen so you literally don’t have enough air 

in your body. After my iron levels returned to 

normal I could (and still do!) walk it with ease – 

no naps required. 

Somewhere into my eighteen months with 

the Mirena I was told it had fallen out. I went 

for a scan and they couldn’t see it anywhere, so 

they said “Not to worry. It’s just fallen out” I still 

had no periods and thought that I must have 

passed through into menopause while I had 

the Mirena in. Wrong again. In fact the Mirena 

was still in which I only discovered when I had 

a week long period and went to get it checked 

out as bleeding after menopause is a danger 

sign. It turns out the Mirena was still in there 

and now they wanted to take it out to see why I 

had bled. 

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Menopause is 

one stage of life that 

we need to really look 

at all the ways we can 

nurture and support 

our body. 

This is when all my troubles really began. 

My doctor told me, again, that I was still 

nowhere near menopausal and my uterus 

was in fact , “quite fluffy”. By this stage I was 

close to fifty and had no other symptoms of 

menopause just (she laughs) heavy bleeding. 

Any woman who has experienced heavy 

bleeding knows how debilitating and limiting it 

can be. Their solution, oft repeated, was to do a 

hysterectomy as “You are past child bearing so 

you don’t need it anymore”. To be clear this was 

a healthy uterus – no fibroids, no tumours, no 

cysts, nothing – she just liked to bleed… a lot. 

I am stubborn. I am also deeply attached to 

my body parts and I wasn’t about to discard 

this powerhouse from my body because she 

liked to bleed. Instead I went on a journey 

to find out what I could do to heal myself. 

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Christiane Northrup’s book “The Wisdom of 

Menopause” was a godsend. She says heavy 

bleeding is leaking life force energy. She asks 

the question “Where are you giving away your 

creativity?” This was a lightbulb moment and I 

decided to finally finish writing and self-publish 

my own book “The Goddess Guide to Sex, Love 

and Life”. 

It was around this time (2012) that I started 

using a yoni egg and I believe this, along with 

other measures, was instrumental in getting 

my heavy bleeding under control. I ditched 

gluten and sugar (mostly) and added in more 

fermented foods including fermented cod liver 

oil (yes, it tastes disgusting but totally worth it 

for the vitamin a, d and k all of which are crucial 

to help with heavy bleeding). 

I believe the yoni egg has meant that my 

emotional equilibrium has remained stable, I 

have had minimal hot flushes, no night sweats 

and minimal insomnia and what I have had 

has been easily solved with magnesium oil. My 

periods finally ended late last year and I feel the 

transition has been relatively smoothly. 

Menopause is one stage of life that we need 

to really look at all the ways we can nurture and 

support our body and I would love it if doctors 

offered more than just the “Let’s just take it 

out” approach when it comes to the uterus 

and heavy bleeding. We have much to learn in 

about the wisdom of the womb. 

About Caitlin 

Caitlin Grace is the 

author of “The 

Goddess Guide to 

Sex, Love and Life” 

a yoni egg coach 

and a self-love 

coach. She has been 

married, divorced and 

is now married to the love of her life for 

the past 25 years. 

Caitlin’s mission is to help women 

better understand the importance of 

their pelvic floor and why it matters. As 

a yoni egg coach Caitlin helps women 

understand there is more to the yoni 

egg practice than maintaining the pelvic 

floor. It is also a practice in tuning in, 

becoming more deeply connected to 

your body and mindful of the way you 

interact with yourself. 

Caitlin can be found via her website: 

23 


My Story: 

A journey 

of discovery 

Written by: Chantal Vanderhaeghen 

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As I write this article in front 

of the fire I am reflecting on my 

experiences of menopause. I’ve 

been taken on an unexpected 

pathway of what it means 

to be a woman in full blown 

menopause. And I’ve a had a 

flush or two just to remind me 

that this is where I’m in my 

life! Just in case I needed the 

reminder (there is no fear of 

that, let me tell you). 

Ihave noticed that this reflection has 

triggered memories from other lifetransitioning 

experiences in my life– 

from teenager to now. I see how each 

stage has had its own challenges to 

deal with. In addition, I have come to see how I 

haven’t honoured myself as a gorgeous sensual 

and sexual being at any point in my life. Until 

now. 

Why? 

Because I was suppressed. Any inclination of 

breaking loose and being me was disregarded. 

Because of our attitudes towards ourselves 

as women from other women. 

Because of the church. Look at how the 

Catholic Church doesn’t extend full priesthood 

to women! Don’t get me started on this as I’ll 

be totally side-tracked from the theme of this 

article. 

Because of the patriarchal society we live in 

where there is no room for us to fully explore 

and experience the incredible women we are 

with grace, pride, beauty, and confidence. 

Because of childhood experiences. As I was 

brought up in a European household where the 

men took precedence, I denied my femininity 

and behaved and dressed like a boy. This didn’t 

work, of course. However, I gave it my best 

shot. And lost out in the long run. 

Because our mothers and grandmothers 

didn’t know how. They complied with 

the expectations that were put on them 

without question. And if they did stand up 

for themselves they were soon shut down. 

Silenced. Put back in their box. 

So, who could we turn to when it came to 

learn the vital lessons of becoming a woman? 

Society? Other women? Friends? Ourselves? 

Media? Magazines? 

25 


I was well into 

menopause when 

I finally found 

out that it can also 

cause anxiety, loss of 

libido, loss of sleep, 

depression, anger, 

rage, negativity, 

confusion, don’t mess 

with me or else and 

irritability. 

The concept of the village has long gone 

where the older women support and guide the 

younger women. 

When I was 9 years old, our family was 

transferred to Switzerland. No one spoke 

English. There was no family support around. 

My support network had been severed. I felt 

lonely, isolated and traumatised. My mother 

was too busy surviving herself and my father 

was traveling most of the time. And when he 

was home we lived in fear of his violent alcohol 

fuelled outbursts. 

So, my sense of self as a woman was 

skewed, to say the least. I never felt precious, 

special or led to believe that I was beautiful. I 

just got on with it, at times, confused with what 

was happening with my body. I certainly didn’t 

bring it up or make any mention of it. That was 

taboo. 

I soldiered on putting on a brave face each 

month. There was no celebration of becoming 

a young woman and getting your first period. 

This amazing and precious experience it is to 

be a woman was not honoured or cherished. 

Then in the workforce where is was simply 

accepted that you got in with things and denied 

anything about menstruation. You suffered 

in silence if you had period pain. You were 

considered too emotional and felt ashamed 

that you were feeling this way. The fear of 

having a period trusting you wouldn’t leak and 

having blood showing. Let’s not even talk about 

ruining your suit that you paid good dollars for. 

What became important was the inconvenience 

of having your period. 

I do believe most of my monthly problems 

were because I was so disconnected from, and 

out of touch with, my body that it expressed 

itself in this way. And the sad thing was not only 

did I not listen nor act on it, I didn’t know how. 

And that is something I truly regret. I kept on 

going the way I was led to believe I should and 

didn’t honour my body. 

That is until now. 

Having said that, even when I first started 

seeing and feeling changes in my body in my 

early 40’s I still didn’t acknowledge myself - the 

power and beauty of becoming the wise Maga 

woman, crone or whatever you want to call it. 

26 


And I’ve found that being a woman going 

into this stage of life is again not accepted in 

our society which is so focussed on youth, 

looking young, and resisting the changes in 

life. Women will do practically anything to be 

someone they aren’t! And at what financial 

physical and emotional cost. 

Why? I ask myself. 

What is this obsession with looking and 

remaining young when our bodies are crying 

out for acknowledgment and acceptance? Why 

can’t we honour who we are and embrace these 

changes for what they are? A rite of passage. 

Our bodies are truly amazing and to be revered. 

We are missing out on so much forever trying to 

look and be someone we aren’t. 

What a waste of time, energy and 

money! And suppression at it’s best. Again! 

Furthermore, we are choosing to do this to 

ourselves. 

So why aren’t we honouring this important 

time in our lives? A stage to be celebrated, 

revered, honoured, accepted and something to 

be proud of. Our greying hair. Change in body 

and skin. Change in thinking, with so much of 

life’s experiences to draw from. 

Again, there is so little understanding of 

what menopause entails. I had no idea how 

it can affect you in so many other ways other 

than the obvious - flushes, body shape change, 

greying hair, weight gain, and change in your 

cycle. 

I was well into menopause when I finally 

found out that it can also cause anxiety, loss 

of libido, loss of sleep, depression, anger, rage, 

negativity, confusion, don’t mess with me or 

else and irritability. Not only that you have 

these moments of total blank when you are 

talking to someone or to a crowd all animated 

and in full flight. Suddenly you can’t find the 

word to express what you want to or can’t 

remember the person’s name, despite knowing 

them for years. It’s there somewhere in the 

deep dark recesses of your mind. But just not 

on the tip of your tongue. I call these memory 

fogs – menopausal moments. 

27 


This causes further embarrassment 

and consternation. You feel dismayed and 

confused. What has happened? Is there 

something more sinister going on? There is 

dread that this is it for life. 

It triggers loneliness and despair. You go 

underground because you don’t know who you 

can share this with. You no longer understand 

or relate to the person you are becoming. 

In my case, I was also going through the 

trauma of a car accident that had triggered 

fear, social phobia, PTSD, depression, confusion 

and hopelessness due to an extreme whiplash 

injury. To say I was floundering for a few years 

there is an understatement. I withdrew to cope 

and hide my ‘sense of weakness’ because I had 

fallen apart. 

Once I finally got properly ‘diagnosed’, my life 

changed. The most important thing was there 

was a reason for how I was feeling. It wasn’t just 

me being an emotional woman. I wasn’t going 

insane, even though it felt like it. No wonder 

they locked women up in the old days! Again, 

further repression and fear. 

This can happen to some women at this 

stage in their lives. It can be normal. What 

a relief to hear that! I rejoiced. I felt better 

immediately. Light was coming back into my 

life as I started to allow myself to morph into 

the beautiful mature wise woman that I was 

becoming. 

Now I’m more self-contained than I have 

ever been as I navigate this interesting time in 

my life. I’m stepping fully into being a woman 

in her 50’s who loves her body, the greys 

peppered through her hair (according to my 

This article was 

written as a 

celebration and an 

acknowledgement of 

our amazing bodies. 

It’s time to take 

ownership of 

who we are – 

as Maga women. 

28 


gorgeous niece this is trendy, young women 

pay a fortune to get this look). I am a woman 

who respects and honours herself and her 

body, who feels beautiful and comfortable in 

her skin. 

There is this wonderful sense of who I am – 

I’m more than enough. And there is such joy in 

that. 

This article was written as a celebration and 

an acknowledgement of our amazing bodies. 

It’s time to take ownership of who we are – as 

Maga women. We need to talk, share, laugh, cry 

and know this too shall pass. We aren’t going 

insane. We are beautiful women going through 

a massive change. 

For that reason, I created my natural 

skincare range because I wanted women to 

enjoy being who they are no matter their age. 

Through using gorgeous products, you can 

begin to connect to yourself. You begin to see 

how beautiful you are as you apply your lotions 

and potions. It’s a daily routine of loving and 

caring for yourself. A time to feel joy at who you 

are. 

Remember, you are always more than 

enough. From my beautiful soul to your 

beautiful soul. 

About Chantal 

Chantal Vanderhaeghen is an 

intuitive guide, small business owner, 

creator of an international skincare 

brand, passionate philanthropist 

and meditation, reiki, tapping and 

mindfulness teacher. She works with 

women ready to make changes, shatters 

perceptions of beauty and perfection, 

and inspires people ready to become 

mindful entrepreneurs. She lives with 

her talented man in the Perth Hills. 

29 


The 

Big Rise 

Of The Tiny House 

Written by: Jo Duff 

The tiny house movement 

is at an all-time high. 

30 


T 

here are even television 

programs about tiny house living, 

Facebook groups are thriving, 

and small delightful houses are 

popping up on Instagram feeds. 

But, what exactly is a tiny house and is it a 

viable option for permanent living? Can you 

realistically take up residence in a home which 

is just 500 square feet? 

Buying a house in Sydney, or in fact most 

major cities in Australia is a pipe dream 

for most hard-working Aussies, and this is 

reflected in the large number of lifelong 

renters. A million dollars is what you need 

on average to buy a house in Sydney, and 

all it takes is a fluctuating mortgage rate, 

skyrocketing utilities, or job insecurity to bring 

your household budget to its knees. Managing 

household finances for most Australians is 

like walking a financial tight-rope. Australian 

rental prices are also high, with Sydney being 

the second highest in the world, and so a tiny 

home is becoming a viable alternative and the 

demand is there. 

A tiny home can vary in size, but on average 

they’re about 500 square feet, carefully 

designed with high-end furnishings and 

innovative storage options. Most don’t have 

plumbing but do have solar power batteries 

and are set on wheels for easy transportation. 

However, others can be slightly larger and 

hooked up with electricity and water, along 

with sturdy footings for a more permanent 

abode. Prices can range anything from $40,000 

to $100,000+ for a top end of the market mini 

mansion! 

31 


“Tiny homes are the future of 

housing in Australia! A lot of 

people don’t know it yet, but the 

reality is that for most people a 

tiny home will be where they live 

in the next few decades. 

A tiny home is the most social 

and environmentally sustainable 

structure available on the market. 

It uses an appropriate amount of 

resources to house an individual 

or family group. Most cost 

between $60,000 and $100,000, 

and if your circumstances change 

you can simply hook it up to a tow 

vehicle and move with your life!” 

Grant Emans, 

Director - Designer 

Eco Tiny Homes 

How did the tiny house 

movement start? 

Tiny houses have provided human shelter for 

hundreds of years. From early settler homes 

and log cabins, to mobile homes in caravan 

and trailer parks today, which have high-quality 

interiors and made to feel like a regular house. 

Foreclosures and evictions spiked in the U.S. in 

2009 which seemed to be one of the leading 

triggers for the growth in the tiny house 

movement, and this movement has made its 

way down under. An idea initially meant to 

offer temporary, safe housing for the homeless 

or low-income families, has been taken up 

by those looking for a practical alternative to 

expensive rentals and unattainable mortgages. 

So, what kinds of Aussies are making the move 

to a small house? 

Australian Women In Their 50’s 

Australian women in their 50’s are the 

fastest growing demographic at risk from 

homelessness and poverty, and the figures 

are double that of the UK. A jarring statistic. 

Work discrimination, divorce, and a lack of 

suitable superannuation are the main reasons 

why women in their 50’s are left single and 

with depleted assets and savings. Tiny houses 

become a lifeline and a secure abode for these 

women at extreme risk of homelessness. They 

are also a great alternative to a granny flat for 

elderly parents who need some supervision, yet 

want to keep their sense of independence. 

Grant Emans, Director at Designer Eco Tiny 

Homes says “I’d say we sell to all categories 

except families of larger than 4. We have had 

enquiries from families of 6+ but never a sale 

as yet. All age groups are covered, but there is 

a trend for single women over 55 as the one 

that stands out the most.” 

Young Australians 

Newlyweds and young couples are buying tiny 

homes that they can set up on their parents 

land, or rented plots, as a means to save for 

a mortgage or live a more sustainable life. 

Solar energy is used to power the home and 

water is collected, used and saved. This saves 

thousands a year in utility bills alone and 

enables young couples to live free of financial 

burden and debt. 

Home Office or Studio 

Getting out of home, even if it’s to the bottom 

of the garden, gives a sense to any freelancer of 

‘going to a workspace’. For $60,000+ a lightfilled, 

fully functioning studio and home office 

can be created. Perfect for online businesses 

and freelancers and space, which can also 

double up as a guest house. 

Retirees 

Retirees are choosing tiny homes as an 

alternative to campervans when they head off 

to tour our great sunburnt land and they’re also 

perfect as a holiday/weekender home. A fully 

furnished tiny home can offer all the creature 

comforts you can think of and whenever it’s time 

to move on, a tiny home can be packed up and 

towed to a new location. For those that don’t 

feel comfortable towing a tiny home, there are 

transporters out there who will do it for you! 

32 


33 


Home Renovators 

Building your own home can take years and 

a forecasted 6mth renovation can end up 3-5 

years until completion, just watch any episode 

of Grand Designs! Setting up a tiny home on 

the land while you build keeps you close to the 

building project and able to get some muchneeded 

sleep and comfort at the same time. 

Australians Looking 

for a Greener Lifestyle 

People are becoming increasingly conscious of 

the impact we are having on our environment. 

We are becoming more considered about what 

we eat, where our products come from, and 

also where we live. A tiny home uses far less 

energy than a standard one, and there isn’t 

enough room to stockpile wardrobes full of 

clothes and throwaway gadgets, making every 

purchase a mindful and considered one. 

It all sounds great right? Not only are tiny 

house homeowners benefiting from affordable, 

environmentally friendly houses, but country 

and rural towns, farms, and communities 

can also benefit by renting out their land and 

gaining revenue by advertising land space on 

Airbnb and other rental sites. However, there 

are some considerations. 

Are There Downsides 

to Downsizing? 

With all these pluses, is there any downside 

to buying a tiny home? Well, yes there is. 

Councillors don’t quite know what to do with 

these mobile tiny houses yet, and the law 

needs to catch up quickly to ensure that tiny 

homeowners are protected when renting plots 

of land. There’s also a need for minimal safety 

requirements to ensure that unscrupulous 

and shonky manufacturers don’t flood the 

market with flammable, or dangerously kitted 

34 


out homes. If you’re in the market for a tiny 

house, make sure you buy from a reputable 

Aussie business so you have peace of mind and 

contact your local council before investment so 

you know exactly what you can and can’t do. 

The tiny home and small house movement 

will no doubt continue to grow and innovate 

as Aussies look for affordable housing, where 

they can sleep in a safe space, travel in comfort, 

and reduce their impact on the environment. 

As with all new transportation breakthroughs 

such as Uber, the regulations and safety 

aspect need to catch up to support the tiny 

house movement quickly. This will ensure the 

safe growth of a new market emerging in the 

Australian real estate industry. 

About Jo (Duffy) Duff 

Jo is a book and movie nerd who 

also writes great content for small 

Australian businesses and start-ups. 

An average week consists of reading 

a book or two, heading out to a 

movie screening and writing shiny 

new content for growing Australian 

businesses. It’s sometimes stressful, 

sometimes quiet, but always 

interesting. 

Quotes and images kindly supplied by: 

www.designerecohomes.com.au 

35 


Giving 

Women 

Over 45 

a Voice 

www.angelacounsel.com

Maga Woman Magazine - issue #8

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