Meditating to find yourself. A meeting with Sandra Zeller, the founder of Ilado

While pregnancy is over-medicalized, we invite you to take time for yourself by practicing meditation. Discover all its benefits.
Méditer pour se trouver soi-même. Rencontre avec Sandra Zeller, la fondatrice de Ilado

Meditate. Yet another thing to add to your list. You suspect the benefits — like staying calm in the face of a cranky child, enjoying time for yourself, having better concentration… but how do you fit this practice into your already packed schedule? Accompanied by Sandra Zeller, the founder of Ilado, we explain the path to this practice.

Time for yourself

When asked what meditation is, Sandra replies: "It is taking time. Meditation allows you to step away from action, stress, and the intense pace of our daily lives." She envisions this time as an inner silence. The opportunity to "listen to your breath and your emotions."

The young woman discovered this practice when she was expecting her first child in 2013. A manager at L'Oréal, the pressure was intense. Since then, meditation has never left her and pregnancy even whispered a new professional project to her: Ilado. Goodbye to the large corporation, hello to freedom and creativity! For the past 7 years now, Sandra has been selecting the most beautiful rituals from around the world for mothers: bolas, soothing herbal teas, swaddling cocoons, and very soon a range of cosmetic skincare. The story doesn't stop there.

Meditation for everyone

During the first lockdown, Sandra packed her things and whisked her family away to unknown territory — destination Burgundy. This new life, closer to nature, had a revealing effect.

From now on, the well-being of mothers would be the main driving force behind her professional decisions. "In 2020, the Covid crisis marked the beginning of a new life for my family. In this new way of living, I wanted to accompany expectant and new mothers more closely, by creating the Naissance d'une Maman meditation podcast."

Sandra chose a free and accessible tool to reach as many people as possible. Her wish? To help mothers better experience their pregnancy, approach childbirth with confidence, and navigate the postpartum period more serenely.


Little seeds along your path

In her podcast and on her YouTube channel, Sandra accompanies the different stages of motherhood. Desire for a child, pregnancy ailments, childbirth, parenthood, postpartum… the topics are many. Her solutions too, from breathing exercises and meditations to visualizations and affirmations.

Sandra adds: "Meditation won't transform, but it will plant seeds and open doors. I don't want to tell women to do this or that, but rather offer a list of ingredients to reach one's own motherhood."

The birth of a mother

In her gentle voice, Sandra goes on to explain her vision: "Pregnancy transforms life, the couple, the relationship with one's own parents… During a birth, we don't only witness the birth of a child, but also the birth of a mother."

Meditation helps prepare for the time before, during, and after pregnancy — which is only the beginning of the great parenting adventure. "Being a woman is a gift. Pregnancy is an opportunity to step back. We are led to question our changing bodies. We ask ourselves countless questions about the world around us, since we want the best for our baby."

She continues to share her perspective, one echoed by many women: "Pregnancy is highly medicalized. Women are often patronized. Meditation gives us the opportunity to reconnect with our intuitions."

The other benefits of meditation

By meditating, expectant mothers give themselves a moment of gentleness, away from the daily routine and stress. It is a time to ease the tensions in their bodies and better experience all the transformations during pregnancy, to tune in to their emotions, to recharge, and to connect with their baby.

Meditation is an opportunity to learn to let go — a concept that is essential when you are about to become a parent! Sandra adds: "Women discover tools to adapt and navigate experiences."

Finally, meditating can also help expectant mothers discover the power of breathing — a precious ally during pregnancy, on the day of their birth, and throughout their lives as women.

How to meditate?

Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. Put in your earphones and simply let yourself be guided.

You might also like