Carole Osborne, Founder of Body Therapy Education

Carole Osborne was recognized by the AMTA Council of Schools as the 2008 National Teacher of the Year, a high point of 35 years as a somatic arts and sciences educator. She has been an integrative body therapist since 1974. In addition to private practice, she has worked in osteopathic, psychological, and women’s medical settings. Her work focuses on facilitating somato-emotional and neuromuscular integration, particularly related to childbearing, trauma, substance and eating disorders, self-image, and nurturing. Her practice is located in San Diego, CA.

Her earliest bodywork studies were with the Arica Institute, Milton Trager, and Tai chi with Master Abraham Liu, and in an apprenticeship with Edward Maupin, Ph.D. learning the structural approach of Ida P. Rolf. As her work has matured, she has developed a unique form of rhythmic deep tissue sculpting and begun incorporating osteopathic and neuromuscular soft tissue therapies. Carole co founded the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB), in San Diego, in 1977, where she continues to teach. She was an original faculty member at Big Sky Somatic Institute, Helena, Montana. She has taught throughout North America and in Europe.

In 1980 she began collaborating with perinatal professionals and colleagues in researching and developing infant and maternity massage therapy protocols and instructional programs. She pioneered the reintroduction of therapeutic massage and bodywork to healthcare for the childbearing year. Over the years she has trained parents, hospital association staffs, and over 4000 maternity massage therapists.

Carole has published two textbooks, Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy and Deep Tissue Sculpting, and her articles appear in many professional and mainstream publications. She was a major contributor to Teaching Massage. She provided consultation on several videos, and for other prenatal and infant massage media items and curricula at massage therapy schools. Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus’ newly released book on pregnancy and sexual abuse survivors includes Carole’s input. She is a professional member of many organizations and is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

She is the mother of Josh and Elizabeth whose gestations, births, and lives inspired and continue to contribute to her work.

Major Career Accomplishments

Developed ground-breaking techniques and approaches to prenatal, labor and postpartum bodywork and massage
Author of the definitive standard pregnancy massage training textbook, Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy
Author of Deep Tissue Sculpting, foundation textbook for schools around the world
Author of Infant Massage and Movement Therapy
Contributing author to Teaching Massage
Developed accredited pregnancy massage training curriculum, Pre- & Perinatal Massage Therapy Certification Specialization Workshop, and other maternity related curriculum
Co-Founder of International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego, 1977
Representative to 1999 Massage Research Agenda Workgroup for the Massage Therapy Research Foundation, providing input and writing 10-year research agenda
Recognized leader in the field of massage therapy
Recipient of the 2008 Jerome Perlinski National Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools

Published Articles

Health Maintenance: Preventative Care for Hands and Bodies
Ah, What Relief! Deep Tissue Sculpting for Low-Back Pain
The Pregnant Pelvis
An Interview with Carole Osborne (BC Practitioner)
Exclusive Interview with Carole Osborne (Massage Magazine).
Healing Touch for Adult Children of Alcoholics (pdf format)
Positioning Concerns for Prenatal Massage Therapy
Supporting Pregnancy with Massage Therapy
Massage Therapists & Body Workers

Carole Osborne-Sheets Awarded 2008 AMTA National Teacher of the Year

The Jerome Perlinski Teacher of the Year Award

The Council of Schools presents an award each year to an instructor in a member school who demonstrates exceptional teaching abilities and commitment to high standards of education in massage therapy. This award honors the memory of Jerome Perlinski, an extraordinary educator and much loved Council leader. Jerome Perlinski is remembered for his recognition of the gifts and talents of others and his ability to bring out their best. A consumer and advocate of massage therapy who was not a practitioner, Jerome held a doctorate in the history of ideas from St. Louis University. He was a widely experienced teacher and lecturer whose committed work helped raise training standards, improve teaching methods and educate massage practitioners about the importance of ethical, professional behaviors. He also played an instrumental role in the early development of the Council of Schools. When colleagues remember Jerome, they use words like inspired, passionate, motivating, principled, and exceptional.

Excerpt of Carole Osborne's speech

"...Someone once said "The noblest of professions is that of teacher." Think about that. When you see your students' progress, "getting it," don't we think "yes, he is getting it!" We might give ourselves a self- congratulatory "pat" on the back for investing time in that student, but what we are INSPIRED by is actually THEIR successes, in spite of or perhaps because of their difficulties. 34 years into teaching, I still delight in the rediscovery of body and mind made by students as they take the journey to become a MT. Teaching people how to make others feel better, more loved, more in touch with their inner self- how great is that!?

I am passionate about my work. It gives me great pleasure and greater satisfaction. I have always liked to get my hands and feet in the mud. In the same manner that children like to run through puddles and play in the mud, I delight in the sensations of my fingers probing, helping to release tension, and unify energy. Considering that we come from the dust and go back to the dust, teaching massage therapy keeps my hands in the mud of the human flesh, my heart open, and all the while demanding that my head analyze, categorize and synthesize= a great juxtaposition. The confluence of spiritual and material in our work is very energizing to me too. As a teacher, I am able to zealously pursue a spiritual mission through a vocational means..."

Read all of Carole Osborne's speech