Anchoring is the core skill of effective NLP. We urge practitioners to become as proficient as possible in the technique, not just to link positive states to external triggers, but because, as we will illustrate in subsequent chapters, anchoring is a fundamental principle involved in virtually all Medical NLP techniques—including ones you develop yourself. Begin by practicing self-anchoring. The process involves accessing and amplifying a strong desired state, and then linking it to a specific physical trigger (e.g. touching finger to thumb, or pressing on a knuckle). Break state, test and repeat, until you can re-enter the state at will. Give some consideration to the quality of the state. Identify the submodalities involved, and then intensify them. Extend your skills to creating kinesthetic anchors with others. Guide and amplify your partner’s state, then anchor it. Break state, test and repeat, until your partner can re-enter the state at will. Pay special attention to your subject’s minimal cues (changes in color, breathing rate, posture, etc) so you can also begin to learn to ‘read’ state changes in your patients. Extend your anchoring to the auditory and visual channels. We have made some suggestions for non-kinesthetic anchoring above. Another aid is to visualize a transparent screen between you and your subject and place your gestural anchors precisely in place each time you set and fire them. Should you shift the position of your body in relation to the screen, you must ensure that you stretch or bend your arm precisely to position the anchor in the same place