who we are

FOUNDER, DIRECTOR

Margi Clifford

Margi Clifford

MS: Master of Science, Counseling Psychology
LPC-S: Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor
E-RYT 500: Experienced – Registered Yoga Teacher 500 Level
C-IAYT: Certified – International Association of Yoga Therapists
YACEP: Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider

Margi Clifford is an outdoor enthusiast and yoga teacher with more than 20 years of experience as a holistic healthcare provider and educator. She’s based in Anchorage, Alaska, and has traveled extensively hosting international yoga retreats, providing health education, speaking at wellness conventions, and offering mindfulness consultations for healthy workplaces.

Margi founded Yoga for Mental Health in 2006 to build a heartfelt community interweaving evidence-based counseling with positive psychology, neuroscience, and optimum wellness practices, including yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. With decades of experience under her belt, Margi now helps coach the next generation of healthcare providers by offering yoga teacher training and clinical supervision for licensed counselor candidates.

In the yoga studio, Margi’s students will tell you that she’s an “acutely aware and patient instructor” with “a gentle touch.” Her classes are “fun, lighthearted, and encouraging” with a “sophisticated style.”

Margi stays grounded through mindfulness practices, by nourishing friendships both new and old, and by spending time in nature, with her husband, Scott, their flock of backyard chickens, and with their sourdough baby. She’s a mindful and curious explorer, adventurer, and athlete who finds inspiration in new experiences, sacred rituals, and simple pleasures. Follow Margi on Instagram or Facebook to stay in touch. 

MEET YOGA FOR MENTAL HEALTH’S BELOVED TEAM OF COMPASSIONATE
YOGA TEACHERS AND THERAPISTS BASED IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA.

Our Team

Maria Belozertseva
Maria BelozertsevaProgram Manager
MS: Master of Science, Counseling Psychology
RYT 200: Registered Yoga Teacher 200 level
Stacia Thomas
Stacia ThomasYoga Instructor
RYT 200: Registered Yoga Teacher 200 level
RN: Registered Nurse
Allison Koos Fox
Allison Koos FoxTherapist, Yoga Instructor
MA: Master of Arts, Contemplative Psychotherapy
RYT 200: Registered Yoga Teacher 200 level
Leigh Whitaker
Leigh WhitakerYoga Instructor
RYT 200: Registered Yoga Teacher 200 level

Maria is a pre-licensed mental health therapist, a yoga teacher, and Yoga for Mental Health’s Practice Manager. She holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University. Maria completed an Insight yoga teacher training program with Margi Clifford in 2018. She offers students and clients an authentic, respectful, and non-judgmental teaching style. She seeks to help others (and herself) thrive in life by nurturing body, mind, and soul. Maria says, “I will always be a student of the practice and am deeply grateful for all loving teachers in my life.”

Stacia graduated from nursing school in 2006 and found the career to be very rewarding but also very demanding. After some exploration, she found yoga to be the perfect practice to rebalance body, mind, and spirit. In 2017, Stacia decided to further her yoga practice by completing an Insight yoga teacher training program with Margi Clifford. Since graduating from the yoga teacher training program in December 2018, she has enjoyed incorporating asana yoga practices with mindfulness meditation in her daily life and as a yoga teacher. You may also find Stacia playing outside in the Alaska backcountry: skiing, hiking, and biking with her husband and dog.

Allison Koos Fox received her master’s degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University in 2011. She moved to Anchorage in the summer of 2012 and was delighted to find that it felt like her true home. She co-founded Mothering Wellness in 2014, which has evolved into the Alaska Chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI). Serving as board co-chair, she is so proud of the work PSI is doing to advocate for Alaskan families. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2016 and loves offering classes and workshops as the opportunities arise. When she’s not camping or traveling with her partner and children, you can find her in her garden, fishing, playing her bass, or walking her dog Toutou.

Leigh Whitaker completed 200 hour teacher training with Margi and Margo in April of 2017. She has studied for many years with Lynne Minton and Allison Till. She is interested in yoga’s role in aging with ease, strength, balance and flexibility.

FOUNDED IN 2006

Yoga For Mental Health

For nearly 15 years, Yoga for Mental Health – with our founder, Margi Clifford, at the helm – has been a leading voice in Anchorage’s holistic mental health community. Our practitioners are therapists and yoga teachers with degrees from accredited universities and alliances. 

We’re proud to offer therapeutic counseling, wellness coaching, yoga classes, and mindful workplace consulting – both for small groups and large lectures. We’re also passionate about educating the next generation of yoga teachers and therapists by offering continuing education for professionals, yoga teacher training, and clinical supervision for licensed professional counselor candidates. 

We believe wholeheartedly in the positive power of generosity, kindness, and sincerity in practice. Yoga for Mental Health is committed to social justice and equal rights, along with increasing the accessibility of healthcare and education to underserved populations. Classes and groups are always available by donation to clients without adequate healthcare, insurance benefits, or the ability to pay. 

Still curious? Check out our FAQ page for additional information about services and offers. 

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