Inside Healer Allira Potter's Eclectic and Calming Sanctuary
Welcome to The Makers. Each week, we’re celebrating innovators, artisans and crafters of all types, taking you on a private tour of their creative spaces. For this instalment, we head to the Geelong home of healer Allira Potter.
Teacher, guide, coach, activist. We’re sure you’re well-acquainted already, but if not—meet Allira Potter, a Yorta Yorta woman living in Geelong who incorporates Indigenous practices and First Nations knowledge into her work as an energy healer, meditation teacher and psychic.
Though Allira has always been deeply spiritual, her career as a practising healer began a few years ago after completing her Reiki training. Having worked as a model, photographer, and creative content producer prior, taking her work into this realm has been more about recognising—and then finding her way back—to her true calling. Now, Allira shares her guiding gifts with thousands daily.
Since coronavirus entered the chat, Allira has moved her healings and readings online, and—unsurprising to all who know her—her practise is thriving. From her mystical yoga, meditation and healing space within her home, Allira hosts booked-out sessions via zoom and FaceTime.
Beyond her social presence, visiting her home (prior to the second Victoria lockdowns this year) proved to be a healing experience of its own. Throughout her sun-soaked space, sage and incense burns on loop, while crystals, tinctures, and magical remedies line surfaces and shelves. In her bedroom—her self-described ‘haven’—a floor to ceiling window floods the room with natural light, while luscious potted plants bask in its glory.
Throughout Allira’s airy abode, original artworks by Aboriginal artists take pride of place (and wall space!), which add depth and colour to her eclectically styled home. Here, among subtle hues of apricot, terracotta and pine, Allira has created a relaxed and tranquil space that feels both cosmically calming and aptly awakening at once.
Hi Allira! This series is called The Makers. What is it that you make?
I make people happy! But no, seriously, I am a multi-faceted human. I am an energy healer, meditation teacher, sassy psychic, Aboriginal activist, and life coach in the making.
I am a spiritual human, and being Aboriginal, it’s in my blood to be connected to my mind, body, and spirit as much as possible. I think my personality is pretty loud yet grounded, and I’m not afraid to stand up for what I believe in. I think the act of making relates to my personality because I love giving back as much as possible and I love being able to help people where needed.
Tell us about your career journey to date. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in healing?
My career journey has been up and down—a typical Millennial wanting to put her hand in so many honey pots. I guess in the last two years I have really stepped into the spiritual world.
I did my Reiki healing training and continued self-developing within this space. I lost my mum when I was 17 to cancer and she was very spiritual, I think she always knew that I would end up in this space.
Talk us through the process of how you work with clients. Where do you start?
Working with clients chops and changes depending on the client themselves and what they are needing. Energy work is so different with every client and that’s what I love about it. I am guiding and helping the client shift out old energy and blockages and bringing in new waves of energy. The same goes with my psychic readings, messages will come in and out depending on the client. Due to COVID, I have moved my business online which has been amazing.
What’s been the single most crucial tool or strategy you’ve used to grow your business?
I laugh at this one as I am SO old school, but going digital was the biggest strategy I had to implement, especially this year. Going from paper to digital was so hard initially but thankfully it has worked in my favour!
What’s been the most challenging lesson learnt since you started your business?
Balance! Learning to balance my life, study, and business has been the most challenging as I am such a ‘yes’ person and struggled with saying no. I am still learning, don’t get me wrong, but it’s one of those things where you want to do so much and never say no to an opportunity, but you also need to understand that sometimes your body can’t keep up.
What’s been the best thing that’s happened to you since you started your business?
The best thing has been meeting so many unique humans. I have gone from doing healings and readings at my home to moving everything online and working with some really incredible people—including a lot of influential and well-known people.
Do you have a single piece of advice you’d give to your younger self or someone looking to start their own business?
As cliché as it sounds, life is too short, so just go for it! What is the worst that is going to happen?
Now, the home stuff. How long have you lived in your home?
I have been in my little bachelorette pad for nearly two years now and she is a beauty. I live here with my little man, Harry Potter—the ginger ninja kitty.
How did you initially know this was the space for you?
I knew this space was for me because I was post break-up and knew I needed a place that was going to serve as much more than just being a home.
Did you do any renovations or make any big changes after moving in?
No big changes, just lots of added values—paintings, photography, plants, and new furnishings.
Shop Allira's look with the Rust Bedding Set and Lavender Sheet Set.
What was the thought process behind the way you’ve styled the interior?
My style is pretty Boho and eclectic. I love bright things but love my furnishings to be either grey or timber so that I can decorate with all the colour.
What are your favourite pieces in the home?
My bed is my favourite piece which I am sure is everyone’s, but my bed is my haven.
Do you have any special décor pieces you’re looking to add?
I am always looking to add lots of cultural elements within my space. I keep buying original artwork and prints by Aboriginal artists to make the space really culturally connected.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
My favourite room is my yoga, meditation and healing space. The images speak for themselves—it’s the space where I not only host my business but also rest and relax.
Shop Allira's look with the Rust Bedding Set and Lavender Sheet Set.
What are your top tips for a well-styled bedroom, and home generally?
Plants make everything better!
Do you have any projects coming up you want to talk about?
I always have things popping on up, so I guess we can only just watch this space and see what happens.
For more from Allira, follow her @allira.potter
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Discover more of Australia's most beautiful homes in our series, The Makers.
