Alana Hil - PRESHOW RITUALS

In this Preshow Rituals segment, the alt pop artist, Alana Hil, shares how she prepares before hitting the stage. You can check out her routine below:

Before every show, I treat preparation like a sacred ritual rather than a routine. Grounding myself is essential before stepping on stage. I start by saging my space and meditating for at least thirty minutes with my ParaYoga teacher, Rod Stryker. Breathwork is a huge part of my process, specifically kapalabhati breathing, which involves sharp, forceful exhales through the nose followed by natural inhales. It’s an energizing and cleansing practice that clears my head, sharpens my focus, and helps me release any nerves. I also run in the mornings before a show to strengthen my lungs and keep my body and energy flowing freely.

In the hours leading up to a performance, I go inward. I don’t like to talk much or hang out with people, I’m sensitive to energy, and I’ve learned that solitude keeps me aligned. I’ll usually rest, listen to Krishna Das’ “Baba Hanuman” on repeat (it always makes me feel both grounded and powerful), and read at least ten pages from a book on Buddhist teachings or another esoteric text. I stay away from caffeine and dairy, and I always use a portable breathing steamer to keep my voice hydrated. My vocal warmups are simple but effective, twenty minutes of lip trills and mindful breathing to get everything connected.

Right before showtime, it’s all about unity and intention. My band and I come together, hold hands, and remind ourselves why we do this, to give our best to the people and to show up as our most vulnerable selves. We say, “Vulnerable on three… one, two, three, vulnerable!” and then crack up because it’s too many syllables and it cracks us up. That laugh breaks any lingering tension. By the time we hit the stage, we’re connected, clear, and ready to give everything we have.

Keep up with Alana Hil on her website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.