“I would definitely recommend a massage with Bella Mama – I enjoyed the service both whilst pregnant and after the birth of my son. While I was pregnant it was my “treat” to replace all the other things you have to give up! I found it very relaxing and really relieved some of the new pressures and aches on my enlarging body.

After the birth of my son I again enjoyed the services of Bella Mama. It was an opportunity to relax and have a little time out and also released some of the aches caused by the new activities - feeding, changing and lifting.

The expertise, professional approach and environment that is provided ensure that the massage is a truly enjoyable experience”.

Sharon Rimmer (mum of baby Finn) Read more ...

About Us

At Bella Mama we feel passionate about the benefits of therapeutic touch. Our role is to provide high quality, specialist massage therapy to women in the nurturing environment of our therapy rooms located both in Albany, North Shore and Central City, Mount Eden.

We also support our clients with a range of aromatherapy skincare products and provide advice on the many benefits of massage, yoga and infant massage.

Bella Mama is committed to the highest quality on-going training and education for our therapists and staff. We also take a keen interest in international research studies which point to the beneficial effects of touch therapy and yoga on women at all stages of their lives, with a special interest in mother wellness, birth outcomes and the bonding process between infant and parent. We hope that our work will spread these positive benefits to women and children throughout New Zealand.

The Bella Mama team

Jo Hogan is the founder of Bella Mama and a fully qualified massage therapist, infant massage instructor and yoga teacher. Trained in London, over the past 12 years Jo has worked both in the UK and New Zealand, becoming an specialist in massage and yoga for pregnant and post-natal women as well as training in a wide range of therapies such as Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Aromatherapy.

Now Auckland based, Jo enjoys managing the busy Bella Mama North Shore practice as well as teaching weekly pre and post natal yoga classes and labour massage workshops.

The launch of Bella Mama in New Zealand sees the fulfillment of a long held dream for Jo; to work with and support women and their families during each stage of their lives.

Samantha Thurlby-Brooks is the owner of Bella Mama City clinic. She started her bodywork training straight after her Philosophy Degree in the UK in 2001. In 2005, Samantha completed the Pre- & Peri-Natal Massage Therapy course in Edinburgh with the internationally renowned tutor and author Carole Osborne-Sheets. Before leaving the UK in 2006, Samantha attended Dr Michel Odent’s Birthing Doula course. She is also qualified in Indian Head massage, Crystal Healing and is a Reiki Master.

Not only is Samantha very warm, caring, empathic and joyful, she is also a fountain of knowledge of both self-development techniques and health and nutrition issues. Keeping one foot firmly on the earth with a good foundation of scientific and theoretical knowledge, Samantha keeps her other foot firmly in the realm of positive potential and creativity. She offers much of her knowledge about pregnancy and birth for free on her website www.joyfulchildbirth.co.nz