World Championship Massage 2025

Next Championship June 27 – June 29 2025 in Copenhagen

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The Story about Massage Schools and Education

The history of massage education and schools around the world spans centuries and varies significantly across different cultures and regions. Here’s a brief overview:

1. Ancient Civilizations: Massage has roots in ancient civilizations such as China, Egypt, Greece, and India. These cultures developed various techniques and practices for therapeutic touch, which were often passed down through oral tradition and apprenticeship.

2. Chinese Massage: In China, massage therapy has been practiced for thousands of years as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Techniques such as Tui Na and acupressure were developed to balance the body’s energy (Qi) and promote healing.

3. Indian Ayurveda: Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, includes massage as an integral part of its therapies. Ayurvedic massage techniques focus on balancing the body’s doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and promoting overall wellness.

4. Greek and Roman Influence: In ancient Greece and Rome, massage was commonly practiced in public baths and gymnasiums. Greek physicians like Hippocrates advocated for the therapeutic benefits of massage, and Roman baths offered massage services for relaxation and health.

5. Middle Ages: During the Middle Ages, massage continued to be practiced, often within monasteries and by healers who integrated Christian beliefs with traditional healing methods.

6. Renaissance and Modern Era: With the Renaissance came a renewed interest in anatomy and the human body. European physicians and anatomists began to study massage techniques more systematically. In the 19th and 20th centuries, massage gained recognition as a legitimate therapeutic practice in the West, leading to the establishment of formal massage schools and training programs.

7. 20th Century: Massage therapy gained popularity in the United States and Europe during the 20th century. Schools and institutions were established to teach various massage modalities, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and sports massage.

8. Modern Trends: In recent decades, the field of massage therapy has continued to evolve, with a growing emphasis on evidence-based practice, professional standards, and specialization in areas such as prenatal massage, oncology massage, and manual lymphatic drainage.

Today, massage education and schools can be found worldwide, offering a range of programs and certifications tailored to different modalities and approaches to massage therapy. These institutions provide comprehensive training in anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, ethics, and professionalism, preparing students for careers in healthcare, wellness, and rehabilitation.

The only Massage Method on UNISCO’s world heritage list is Thai massage. It came on the list back in December 2019 after the 3rd IMA World Championship in Massage.

  • Text by Jeppe Tengbjerg

Here it is one of the World Champions of that year Thippawan Noree:

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The International Massage Association also offer Masterclasses for Massage Therapists and Massage Teachers.

IMA Academy host many courses, read more where or how to host an IMA Masterclass here.

Or take the IMA International Massage Teacher Courses. Read more here.

Have you seen what our particpants have to say?

May AuMay Au
09:57 20 Oct 24
It is a great honor to receive the NMC Overall Winner Award 2024, and I am truly grateful to have Jeppe present it to me. His experience and skills are admired globally, and he is not only highly knowledgeable but also generous and supportive. I feel fortunate to learn from him and I hope we can all continue working together in the massage field to achieve great things. Thank you so much, Jeppe!
Sami StressadeSami Stressade
10:45 20 Sep 24
The International Massage World Championships (IMA) in Copenhagen was an extraordinary experience. It provided a unique platform to compete with the best massage therapists in the world and learn advanced techniques at the highest level.The professional exchange, the valuable feedback from the jury and the inspiring atmosphere have significantly expanded my skills. An absolute recommendation for anyone who wants to perfect their art and make international connections.A special thank you goes to Jeppe Tengbjerg, founder and CEO of the International Massage Association and organizer of the World Championships in Massage. Without his vision and commitment, this outstanding event would not have been possible.
Amanda J M.Amanda J M.
03:52 18 Sep 24
Thank you very much for the lessons that IMA has shared with the public... this knowledge will forever be useful for me to grow even more.. hugs and kisses 💆‍♂️🌎🕊🙏😇
semenuk-t Tanyasemenuk-t Tanya
14:45 25 Aug 24
Very interesting, informative. A colossal experience. Exchange of skills and techniques. Friendly atmosphere....❤️❤️❤️It is worth taking part in order to grow and become better.
I have attended the IMA World massage Champs since 2017, it’s a must in the June calendar each year. Go visit or compete!! Copenhagen is a great City break aswell.
Tereze BelkovaTereze Belkova
19:06 24 Apr 24
An excellent school where you can not only learn different massage techniques, but also improve your skills. A place that brings together massage professionals from all over the world by organising the World Massage Championships in Denmark.
Michael PedersenMichael Pedersen
21:24 05 Mar 24
Huge praise for holding dm in massage 2024.Warm atmosphere, good energy and super well organised.A school that is passionate about giving students the best possible education.Can only warmly recommend the school.
Carsten AnderslundCarsten Anderslund
20:12 05 Mar 24
Carl NewburyCarl Newbury
11:28 29 Feb 24
I have been attending Jeppe's events in Copenhagen since 2017. The World Championship in Massage is the highlight of my year networking with massage therapists from all over the World. Well Done Jeppe
Victoria BilousovaVictoria Bilousova
12:54 07 Feb 24
Thank you so much for an amazing World Massage Championship organized in a high level! A lot of new friends and inspiration I found there😇
It was with great pleasure to teach at your school in Denmark, I experienced a good atmosfeer, an interesting class and you as host/teacher mr. Jeppe Tengbjerg.Also thank you for the colaboration to teach at my school in Lelystad the Netherlands last year, it is of great interest to learn from each other and I welcome you again, this year in september 2024.SoeReiMas Courses & CoachingLelystad the Netherlands
Chutima HälgChutima Hälg
00:47 07 Feb 24
I recently had the pleasure of attending a massage seminar jointly organized by IMA Academy and Chiida Academy, and I must say it was a truly enriching experience. The seminar, led by a professional instructor, was a perfect blend of theory and practice, offering valuable insights into the art of massage therapy. The theoretical aspects covered were comprehensive and informative, providing a solid foundation of knowledge for all participants. From anatomy and physiology to various massage techniques and their applications, every aspect was explained with clarity and depth. It was evident that the instructor was not only knowledgeable but also passionate about imparting their expertise to the students. What truly stood out about this seminar was the emphasis on hands-on practice. Participants were given ample opportunities to apply the theoretical concepts they had learned in a supportive and nurturing environment. The instructor's guidance and feedback were invaluable in honing our skills and techniques. Moreover, I was impressed by the caring attitude and thoughtfulness shown towards the students throughout the seminar. From providing necessary materials to addressing individual queries and concerns, the organizers ensured that everyone felt valued and supported. I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Jeppe Tengbjerg for his exceptional leadership in making this seminar a resounding success. His expertise, patience, and genuine dedication to the art of massage therapy were truly inspiring.In conclusion, the collaborative effort between IMA Academy and Chiida Academy in presenting this massage seminar was commendable. It was a rewarding experience that left me feeling empowered and equipped with valuable knowledge and skills. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of massage therapy or embark on a career in this field.
Corpore VitalCorpore Vital
16:13 06 Feb 24
Professionalism and education at the highest level. The students are very attentive and involved in the way the information is conveyed and because there is a lot of practice, the course becomes even more exciting. Congratulations for the interactive way in which you transmit the information.
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World Championship Massage 2025

Next Championship June 27 – June 29 2025 in Copenhagen

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