Phyllis was an entertainer for over 30 years. She professionally sang and danced her way from New York City, through the United States and Canada to Europe, the Mediterranean and on to the Caribbean, living, absorbing and learning to become comfortable in different cultures. Coming from a multicultural background herself, including Native American, French, Spanish, German, Polish, Philippine and perhaps a few more, her mother always said, she embodied the true American “Melting Pot.” Blend in a marriage to a Portuguese, Central American, Arubian and being transplanted from the sophisticated, fast paced Island of Manhattan to the tropical Island paradise of Aruba her experience with diverse peoples, well you get the picture.

If overseeing every aspect of the Viana Natural Healing Center doesn’t keep her busy enough, upon turning 50, she commented “if this is mid-life, I’m only half way there and have so many things still to do” and decided to jump out of an airplane over the ocean in the Yucatan of Mexico, sky diving in birthday celebration. “Because I’ve never done it before & I wanted to experience it.”

Into “Natural Health” before it was popular, “mom Jane had an organic family garden, because she wanted us kids to be able to walk down the rows and pick beans and tomatoes & eat them right there. I didn’t know any different. Everybody worked and did chores that actually made your muscles strong in those days.” Add, splits and cartwheels for hours on the front lawn, the grueling discipline of ballet classes, were actually a wonderful place where a young girl could feel like a princess. “We didn’t know it was keeping us healthy and teaching us life management skills.”

Besides performing, Phyllis has taught dance, yoga, relaxation techniques and fitness, which she has been able to use to teach breathing techniques to many patients who for various reasons have lost their ability to relax and breathe efficiently. This is vital to a healthy body and mind. Along the way, Phyllis became a Scuba Instructor, ran her own Dive Company, and has trained in Reiki, Shamanism, and nutrition for fitness and is the Clinic’s expert in Bach Flowers Remedies..

She has raised 2 athletic boys, Julio and Fernando, oversees all aspects of the day to day administration of the Healing Center and is also the personal assistant of Dr. Carlos Viana, admittedly her biggest job.