about us
Nurturing a Safe
Space for Growth
and Self-Discovery
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals can discover the next stepping stones along their journey, reconnect with their inner strength, heal from past experiences, and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves.
About Our Studio
Opening The Door To Wellness
At Open Door, we offer a holistic approach to mental and physical wellness. We strive to help people reconnect with themselves and their bodies by offering opportunities for individual and group therapy, bodywork and breathing practices, mindfulness and meditation sessions, and movement and other types of classes.
We support clients in navigating life’s ups and downs by accompanying them as they explore thoughts and feelings and reshape negative patterns that no longer serve them. Open Door introduces people to healthy tools and practices for managing discomfort and celebrating ourselves across all seasons of the lifespan.
We hope everyone who leaves our space emerges feeling more balanced, resilient, and joyful. Together, we seek to foster a community that celebrates diversity, encourages authentic connections, and empowers everyone to live their best lives.
Our Team
Robin Block
Robin Block, BS, BFA, MS, LPC, RYT 200 has been an Integrative Movement Facilitator in Wisconsin since 2001. She has Bachelor’s degrees in Community Education and Fine Arts - Dance, both from UW-Milwaukee. Robin (she/her) has taught over 5000 Yoga classes and is certified in Tai Chi Fundamentals®, Tai Chi for Arthritis, and Nia. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Learn about her counseling practice here.
Robin is passionate about movement and knows the positive impact it can have on the brain and nervous system. She teaches “hold and flow” Yoga classes that combine movements to warm the body and poses that are held to retrain the brain to release habits that no longer serve us. Robin also teaches Integrative Dance, Tai Chi, Meditation, and Mindfulness to enhance overall well-being and connection with self and community.
She provides alignment-based instruction, encouraging students to adjust and rest freely to protect their bodies and personalize their practice. Robin offers meditations for preparation, creative sequencing of postures that carry guests to the next breath, shape, or movement, and provides relaxation at the end. She uses music, breathing techniques, and defined patterns of rhythm to integrate body, mind, and spirit fully.
Robin hopes you feel comfortable in our movement space, are open and willing to try something different, and feel empowered as a result. She looks forward to moving together very soon and invites you to meet her on the dance floor, at the dojo, on the mat, or in nature (with the hawks and herons). All are welcome!
Photo by Lila Aryan, www.lilaaryan.com.
Patricia Corrigan Culotti
Patricia Corrigan Culotti, BSA, CTI, MTF, offers personalized Tai Chi instruction to the public, trains and certifies instructors, and brings ancient healing arts to medical settings such as the VA, Aurora, and ProHealth. She is a featured Tai Chi model in Tai Chi Mind and Body (DK Publishing, London).
Pat has practiced traditional Yang Style Tai Chi and Qi Gong since 1977 and is a lineage instructor certified by Grand Masters Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo and William C. C. Chen. She is a Tai Chi Fundamentals® Program Master Teacher, Course Instructor, Certification Reviewer, and certified ROM Dance® Instructor. She was the Lead Instructor for the Tai Chi Prime research study (2017-18) and the Inclusive Tai Chi Project in Milwaukee (2022-24). Pat is a Tai Chi Prime Master Teacher. She founded Enhancing Balance to teach traditional Yang Style Cheng Man-Ch’ing Tai Chi globally.
Pat teaches students of all abilities how to integrate mind/body practices into daily life. She offers classes and workshops virtually and in person in the Milwaukee area and enjoys helping people enhance balance in their lives.
Tai Chi uplifts Pat’s well-being by helping her stay centered and present. The philosophy aligns with nature, and Pat strives to bring this harmony into her favorite activities. An avid cyclist, cross-country skier, and hiker, she credits Tai Chi with improving her balance, resiliency, and stamina in these pursuits. Grateful for the gifts of Tai Chi, Pat is excited to help others enjoy these benefits and more.
Photo by Lila Aryan, www.lilaaryan.com.
Laura Halfmann
Laura Halfmann, BA, RYT 200, has enjoyed teaching Yoga since 2012. Her favorite Yoga practices hold space for body, mind and spirit to reconnect. Her classes often include breath practice, mudras (hand poses) and creative movement, and may draw inspiration from poetry, art or a random snippet of overheard conversation. Laura creates inclusive and supportive environments and encourages people to make each practice their own. She believes something magical happens when people practice in community.
Laura has been teaching classes for 30 years, ranging from art to Yoga to personal development to how to drive a forklift (true story!). She has a long career as a training consultant for a local Fortune 500 company. Laura holds a Bachelor's degree in Art Education/Art Therapy from Alverno College and completed her 200-hour teacher training in Integrative Yoga Therapy at Inner Light Yoga Studio. She has led Yoga practices at Yoga studios, recreation departments, and corporations. Laura offers special workshops that integrate Yoga and creativity.
When she's not teaching or working, Laura loves to make art in her home studio, read her way through her local library, travel, grow as many flowers and vegetables as possible in Wisconsin's tiny window of Summer, explore the Ice Age Trail with her dog, Zeke, and snuggle with her cat, Moonshadow.
Yoga has been a quiet, undeniable game changer in Laura's life. When she goes to her mat, she feels like she’s coming home. She hopes you will join her.
Photo by Stephanie Bartz, www.sbartzphotography.com.
“Robin has a positive approach to mental health and life. She has been my biggest advocate on my wellness journey. Her natural approach is based in research. I appreciate how she provides me with resources and ideas that help me work towards living my best life.”
Anonymous, Psychotherapy client
Our Core Values
Safety
Creating a safe space for healing and growth is crucial. Open Door prioritizes safety by fostering an environment where individuals can feel emotionally and physically secure, free from harm, judgment, or discrimination. This includes the collective practice of confidentiality, community building, respect towards personal boundary setting, and the provision of personalized, insightful, and trauma-sensitive care and services.
Inclusivity
We welcome and embrace individuals from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We’re committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels accepted, respected, and valued, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, or any other aspect of their identity. Open Door strives to be an inclusive space where all individuals can access mental health and wellness services without fear of discrimination or judgment.
Body Positivity
All bodies are deserving of respect and acceptance, regardless of size, shape, appearance, or ability. Open Door aims to create a body-positive environment where individuals can feel comfortable and confident in their own skin and free from body shaming and bullying. We strive to create a learning and growing environment that encourages self-love and self-acceptance.
Teach With Us
Do you want to join our team, collaborate, or be a guest artist in our studio? Please reach out! We are eager to add new practitioners to our class schedule who can provide specialized classes, offerings, and services that we may not yet offer.
Seeking Massage Therapist or Other Bodywork Practitioner
Are you looking for a brand new wellness room in which to offer massage or other bodywork services? Please connect with us soon! We would love to meet you, give you a tour, and have a discussion about the services we currently provide at Open Door Wellness. We will share who is currently on our team and how we can come together to provide collaborative holistic care for clients.
Rent Our Space
We welcome outside practitioners and other community members to use our 850 sq ft studio space to teach classes, host meetings, events, and workshops. Folding chairs available. Please contact us to inquire about pricing, technology, and availability.