Welcome to Mahina Mahai

Pregnancy Yoga, Childbirth Preparation & Beyond

My name is Petra and my passion is to work with women from before conception until after the baby is born. I have been a certified Hatha Yoga teacher and Pregnancy Yoga Teacher since 1996. I took part in a three year training course in the Netherlands, where I was born. After receiving my degree, I continued my studies by doing an apprenticeship with Helene Verbeek. Helene gave me the opportunity to teach Prenatal Yoga in her yoga practice where I learned to become more confident in my teaching. In 1998 I moved to New Zealand with my husband and two children, where we settled in West Auckland. Once we were settled, two more children were born. I run my own Pregnancy Yoga courses in two different locations, Henderson and Titirangi in West Auckland New Zealand.

A lot of women will know me from ‘Pregnancy and Childbirth with Shambala Yoga’. With the launch of my new website, I decided to change the name into MAHINA MAHAI Pregnancy Yoga, Childbirth Preparation & Beyond. The words MAHINA and MAHAI originate from the Bahasa Tanah, the native language of the Moluccas in Indonesia, where my roots lie, meaning WOMAN and LIFE.  A meaning which serves its right with the type of work that I do.


I highly recommend Cathy McCormick from HolisticBaby. Cathy is a nurse, midwife and an international lactation consultant – a specialist in infant feeding. She is currently running her HolisticBaby antenatal classes in Titirangi & Birthcare. With over 30 years supporting Auckland families, her HolisticBaby antenatal classes are midwife-led, evidence-based, and trusted by mums, midwives and obstetricians alike. Cathy offers the most comprehensive support to navigate pregnancy, move through birth choices with ease, and attune to your baby for a calmer experience. Cathy is also available for postnatal care for women birthing with private obstetricians. For more info you can find her on https://www.holisticbaby.co.nz