What is Anchoring?
What is anchoring? Think of an anchor that holds a boat in the harbor. It’s something that holds something else in place. We have lots of natural anchors in our lives.
Anchoring
To be able to drift inside at will, it helps to create a relaxation and safety anchor. It’s like a reminder that helps you find your way back quickly. This reminds me of taking a familiar pathway home. The first time you take a path, it is new to you, and full of discovery. Once you have taken it a few times, it becomes easier to take the path without thinking about where you are going. Going inside can become very comfortable and easy too, like a well-used path.
Here is a way to anchor a state of relaxation.
1. Go inside to a place of deep relaxation.
2. Create an auditory anchor: This means, once you are inside, choose a key word or phrase that reminds you of this deep and good feeling. I like to use the word peace.
3. Tell yourself that when you use that word or phrase you will be able to return inside to this place of deep relaxation at will, coming back more easily each time.
4. Feel the relaxed feeling very deeply again and when you are feeling the relaxation make a small touch anchor by touching your heart. This creates a touch anchor.
5. Connect your touch and auditory anchors by touching your heart again and saying your key word. Tell yourself that when you say your key word and touch your heart you will return to this deep place of relaxation even more quickly and easily. *
6. Practice going in and out of deep relaxation by using your anchor. The more your practice the easier it gets. Go in for a moment by using your anchor and drifting into peace. Then release your anchor. Bring your awareness back to waking consciousness and focus quietly on your external environment. Then drift back inside using your anchor again. When situations show up where you used to feel anxious, you can now go back to your place of safety and relaxation more easily.
