Barbara Carrellas

{{Short description|American author and sex educator}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Barbara Carrellas

|image =

|nationality = American

|occupation = Sex educator

|known_for = Tantric sex workshops and education

|partner = Kate Bornstein

|website = [http://barbaracarrellas.com/ BarbaraCarrellas.com]

}}

Barbara Carrellas is an author, sex educator, performance artist,[http://barbaracarrellas.com/BarbaraPages/barbaracarrellas.htm Barbara Carrellas's bio] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203224515/http://barbaracarrellas.com/BarbaraPages/barbaracarrellas.htm |date=February 3, 2007 }} and certified sexologist accredited through the American College of Sexologists.{{Cite web|url=http://www.americancollegeofsexologists.org/newyork.html#Anchor-Barbara-44867 |title=ACS Directory - New York |access-date=2010-07-25 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605141628/http://www.americancollegeofsexologists.org/newyork.html |archive-date=2010-06-05 }} She facilitates workshops in which participants explore sexuality through a holistic approach that includes practices like erotic breathwork and Tantra, and she has lectured at various institutions, including the Museum of Sex in New York City, Vassar College, Barnard College, and the Chicago Art Institute.{{Cite web|url=http://www.phinli.com/Talent/Profile/barbara-carrellas |title=PhinLi: Barbara Carrellas (talent profile) |access-date=2010-07-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426062656/http://www.phinli.com/Talent/Profile/barbara-carrellas |archive-date=2010-04-26 }} She is known for her "breath and energy orgasm" techniques, which she says are "orgasms you can have using your imagination and your breath".{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2010/07/29/behar.think.orgasm.hln.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802044235/http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2010/07/29/behar.think.orgasm.hln.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 2, 2010|title=Can you think yourself into an orgasm?|date=July 30, 2010|publisher=CNN}} Carrellas learned the technique during the height of the AIDS epidemic as a way for people to orgasm without physical contact.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thinking-off-scientists-study-woman-who-claims-to-orgasm-by-thought-alone/|title="Thinking Off"? Scientists Study Woman Who Claims to Orgasm by Thought Alone|first=Aina|last=Hunter|date=2010-07-23|work=CBS News}} Such techniques, she says, offers a way for "people to have more safer-sex options".{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/orgasm-just-by-thinking-is-it-medically-possible/|title=Orgasm Just by Thinking: Is it Medically Possible?|first=Aina|last=Hunter|date=2010-07-16|work=CBS News}}

Carrellas spent five years in the 1990s living in Australia{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/sorry-mate-but-who-the-bloody-hell-are-you/story-e6frfkp9-1111115970795|title=Kevin Rudd unknown to most Americans|first=Stefanie|last=Balogh|publisher=News.com.au|date=April 4, 2008|access-date=2010-07-25}} but currently resides in New York City and lives with her partner, Kate Bornstein. In 2010, she appeared on the Canadian television show "Sex Matters",{{Cite web|url=http://www.cp24.com/sexmattersVideo/ |title=CP24 - Sex Matters |date=May 27, 2010 |access-date=2010-08-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228081701/http://www.cp24.com/sexmattersVideo/ |archive-date=2010-12-28 }} and in the TLC show Strange Sex.

In November 2016, Carrellas was given an honorary Lifetime Achievement Award at the London-based Sexual Freedom Awards for her contributions to the field of sexuality spanning several decades.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sexualfreedomawards.co.uk/2016-finalists-performers/|title=2016 Finalists & winners|website=Sexual Freedom Awards|access-date=2016-11-27}}