In short
- Rapé is one half. Your breath is the other half.
- Blow evenly, not too hard and not in short bursts.
- Start softer than you think. Practice without rapé first.
- In the tradition, each blow is given the image of an animal. This helps your body understand the technique.
- New to rapé? Use the hummingbird. Let yourself be guided with stronger varieties.
By Kevin Lorenzini | Reading time: approximately 8 minutes
Rapé is only half. The other half is your breath. How you blow partly determines how the experience feels. Two people, the same powder, two different experiences. The difference often lies in the blow.
1. Your breath is the instrument
Many beginners think it is simple: powder in the applicator, applicator at the nostril, blow. And they blow hard and fast. The powder shoots in, it stings and the experience is confused. That is like hitting an instrument. Sound comes out, but it is not music.
Your breath is the instrument. The kuripe is the bridge. Three things come together in one breath: strength, direction and intention. Strength without direction is noise. Direction without intention is mechanical. Intention without technique is wishful thinking.
2. Hard or soft?
People always ask: should I blow hard or soft? The answer is: just enough.
- Too hard is the most common mistake. The powder splashes against the front of your nose and it hurts unnecessarily.
- Too soft and the powder gets stuck in the applicator. The experience is weak, while the rapé is not weak.
- Just right feels like a steady, penetrating movement. It does not burn like a slap and it does not feel like nothing.
How to find the right strength
- Start softer than you think is necessary. Take about forty percent of what you think you need to give.
- A blow lasts about one second: one steady movement.
- Keep the strength constant from beginning to end.
- Practice without powder. Blow through the kuripe onto the back of your hand and feel the airflow.
- Never blow in short bursts. One breath, always.
3. The animals: images for your breath
In the Huni Kuin tradition and with many people who work with rapé, each blow is given the image of an animal. These are not rules, but images. The body often understands an animal better than a technical explanation. Below are the images I use.
The hummingbird
Fast, light, precise. The hummingbird beats its wings eighty times per second and hovers in one place. This blow is like that: short, clear and controlled. About half a second.
- Exhale completely first.
- Gather air in your cheeks, not deep in your lungs.
- Blow in one fluid, fast movement.
- Immediately after, breathe out through your mouth.
The hummingbird feels like a light, clear tap for many people. A good start for those who are just beginning and for those who are sensitive. It suits softer varieties, such as Rosa, Tsunu, Caneleiro, Cacau and Murici.
"The hummingbird is the blow with which I let almost everyone start. Not because it is weak, but because it is honest. It lets the rapé speak without shouting over it." — Kevin Lorenzini
The snake
Slow, deep, undulating. The snake moves over any terrain, slowly but unstoppably. In the Huni Kuin tradition, the snake is sacred: the source of the kené patterns. The snake blow comes from your belly.
- Breathe in deeply with your belly and exhale completely.
- Start slowly and build up gradually, like a wave.
- The blow lasts about one and a half to two seconds.
- End with a short, slightly stronger impulse.
Many people experience the snake as a wave that slowly travels through their head. It suits experienced users and varieties with more depth, such as Mulateiro and Samaúma.
The jaguar
Powerful, direct, short. The jaguar does not wait and does not hesitate. This blow is short and powerful, a maximum of half a second. It is not for beginners. An incorrectly performed jaguar blow hurts and works counterproductively. First master the hummingbird and the snake. It suits the strongest varieties. Do not use it with Rosa or Tsunu.
The eagle
Spacious, from a great height. The eagle hovers kilometers above the earth and sees the big picture. This blow is the longest: two to three seconds, building up calmly, directed slightly upwards, with a warm breath. It suits calm sessions with meditation or dreamwork.
The bee
Constant, rhythmic. The bee works as part of a whole. This blow is a steady breath of exactly one second, the same every time. It is the calmest and most reliable, for those who appreciate fixed rituals.
The elephant
Slow, heavy, grounding. Breathe deeply from your belly, let the blow go slowly and heavily, direct the airflow slightly downwards and stop without an impulse, like a stone that lies down. Two seconds. An image for grounding.
4. The breath before the blow
What you do before the blow is just as important.
- Sit upright and relax your jaws and shoulders.
- Breathe out calmly and completely.
- Set your intention.
- Place the kuripe calmly. Do not push it too deep into your nostril.
- Immediately after the blow, breathe in through your mouth, not through your nose.
5. The most common mistakes
- Blowing too hard. The powder splashes and it hurts.
- Blowing in pulses. Multiple small puffs give an uneven distribution.
- Placing the kuripe too deep or too shallow.
- Inhaling through your nose after the blow. Breathe through your mouth.
- Being tense. Tension in your jaws and shoulders works against you. Breathe out calmly first.
6. Safety
Rapé is only for adults (18+). Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with unstable heart or vascular problems, or together with antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, alcohol or drugs. Start small. New? Let yourself be guided. Read everything in "Using rapé safely".
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About the author: Kevin Lorenzini is a ceremonial leader and founder of Purity Healing. He guides Kambo and Sananga ceremonies in Nuenen and Eindhoven.
Also read: using rapé safely · rapé for beginners · all rapé varieties explained
