Pretty standard training for Wu Shu, Muay Thai, and Okinawan Karate styles. In Okinawa it is called “Makiwara”. And it does a number of things. 1. Over time if you start it young enough, it actually increases your bone density. That is why Muay Thai Shin kicks from a dedicated practitioner are so devastating. 2. It develops your musculature to become a pad of firm armor over your bones and vital organs. 3. The hand movements and exercises dramatically increase your hand speed, and hand eye brain coordination, as well as imprinting blocks and attacks into instinctual muscle memory. When I was studying Uechi Ryu, we would have voluntary sessions to “test” the level of our training. We would perform a Kata, usually Sanchin, as that was the Kata that taught application of a lot of this, and our Sensei would strike us with his fist, foot, or a rod unexpectedly to test if we were ready and conditioned to weather an attack. Some times the rod would be replaced with a 2”x 2” x8’ pine staff for the advanced students. Having one of those broken over your quads or your glutes is an experience. But with training and practice, you learn to ignore it, and continue to attack and defend. Like any self defense system, the Oriental ones are as much mental as they are physical. This type of training develops a bridge between the two. Interesting. This young lady is a very capable martial artist.