IMA American Massage Championship 2026 — Swedish Massage

It was an honor to serve as Official Judge for the Swedish Massage category at the 2026 IMA American Massage Championship, held as part of the World Massage Festival at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina.

This championship brought together some of the country’s most dedicated massage therapists, all competing to demonstrate mastery of technique, presence, and healing intention within the Swedish Massage discipline. Evaluating competitors at this level — assessing precision, flow, therapeutic effectiveness, and professionalism under pressure — is both a privilege and a responsibility I take seriously.

Serving on the judging panel for an event of this caliber reaffirms the standards of excellence that define our profession. It’s inspiring to witness the next generation of massage therapists elevate their craft, and these experiences continue to shape the training philosophy I bring back to Spa Mariana, AMTI, and Master Level Academy.

Congratulations to every competitor who stepped onto that floor — your dedication to mastering this healing art raises the bar for the entire industry.