Shaolin monks, often associated with martial arts, actually began with a focus on Qigong, emphasizing breath and movement for mental and physical health. Established around 495 CE, the Shaolin Temple’s practices were crucial for monk endurance and strength. Qigong laid the foundation for martial arts, promoting sustainable strength and longevity.
Meet HL Astrid Esbjornsdottir. She is a beloved Calontir scribe, mentor, and scroll artist with over 40 years of service in the SCA.
Last Saturday’s 2025 Calontir Queen’s Prize Tournament event was a wonderful achievement celebration. It showed how joyful—and exciting—the SCA arts and sciences can be. It always starts the same way. There’s that first spark—an idea, a project, a skill you just can’t wait to try. So you dive in, you buy all the necessary materials…
“What beauty is, I know not, though it adheres to many things.” – Albrecht Dürer, 16th century Introduction: Hey, all! Are you curious about medieval art, workshops, or what life was like in the Middle Ages? As an SCA artisan, finding the right resources can make all the difference when recreating medieval art. Whether you’re…