W.I.R.A

Stress Inoculation Training/Therapy (SIT) represents a repertoire of coping mechanisms and strategies provided to the student. Developed in the late 1970s by Donald Meichenbaum, SIT was originally thought of as developing a 'mental armour' for the individual. SIT helps to 'inoculate' individuals to future potentially traumatising stressors, teaching them to psychologically and effectively deal with the stressors. Stress inoculation training was extended to the management of anger by Raymond Novaco in 1975. In his book Anger Control: The Development and Evaluation Of an Experimental Treatment, Novaco says, “Anger is fomented, maintained, and influenced by the self-statements that are made in provocative situations.” He makes a strong case for the proposition that the source of all anger is what you think about a situation.

Stress Inoculation Training in Sendeng Teratai may be observed in our four-step approach, aptly named, WIRA: (Winding Down, Initiating Response, Responsible Thinking, Applied Learning)

1. Winding Down

2. Initiating Response

3. Responsible Thinking

4. Applied Learning

Winding Down

Stress inoculation training is analogous to building tolerance in oneself. In Sendeng Teratai, this typically begins with 'Senaman Nafas' and 'Senaman Jari', a traditional breathing and finger strengthening exercise that was first designed as a routine to encourage self-regulation and awareness for the silat practitioner. Through these exercises, students are taught to channel their emotions to a more acceptable response.

Initiating Response

Screaming, hitting a punching bag, venting grievances are all examples of catharsis, which helps to release anger in a controlled way to avoid a further emotional breakdown. A punching bag is one of the most recommended items for children and adolescents in therapy. Hitting a stress punching bag can be a physical and symbolic expression of intense emotions. Physically, hitting a punching bag produces a response in your body that helps to relieve tension. Symbolically, you may picture the punching bag or punching pillow as representative of your stress. Imagining a troublesome situation or person in your life and punching at the bag allows the practitioner to express anger in a healthier way than becoming physical with another person.

     Exercise of any kind, including hitting a punching bag, offers many stress-relieving benefits. When hitting the stress punching bag, your brain increases production of endorphins, neurotransmitters that create feel-good thoughts in your brain. Punching helps to relieve muscle tension that can collect when you experience stress. Beyond this, however, exercise is a great form of stress reliever and offers a fun activity for the practitioner.

Responsible Thinking

Responsible Thinking is developed through the adoption of The Responsible Thinking Process, a process developed by author, educator, and psychologist Ed Ford and based upon studies of perceptual control theory. Responsible Thinking Process is designed to help practitioners develop a sense of responsibility for their own lives and respect for everyone around them. It is primarily aimed at developing respect for oneself and creating a sense of responsibility over his action. It leads practitioners on a journey of self-discovery and to look within themselves and decide on the correct course of action.

Applied Learning

The applied learning phase further deepens the practitioners understanding of what has been taught and developed, and conditioning practitioners to appropriate natural reactions to stressful events and how these reactions can benefit or work against them in a real environment. It is a scenario-based form of training and designed to strike a balance between realism and the safety of practitioners and instructors.