People and Personalities

You'd usually only be able to see her in Las Vegas performing for Cirque du Soleil, but 2009 World Champion Pole Dancer, Felix Cane, has recently been giving some very special master classes at a pole fitness class in Shenley Church End.

Felix took the world title in Jamaica earlier this year and has left her Las Vegas life behind for a week to show budding 'pole fitness' enthusiasts in this country exactly what pole dancing is really about.

'Pole Passions' who run pole fitness and dance instruction classes in Milton Keynes and Hitchin, organised the visit.  Debbie from 'Pole Passions' says getting Felix to come over to the UK wasn't that difficult... "We met Felix in Jamaica when she was competing for her world title. She obviously won and from then we've been speaking via email and arranged the tour over here."

Felix performs in the Las Vegas show twice every night - for five nights a week!  But how did she get involved in the world of pole dancing?

"I got into pole dancing three years ago when my mum took a trial in Australia where I used to live" explained Felix.

"She told me I'd really enjoy it so I went along to have a look and fell in love with it from day one!

"It's fantastically appealing to women because I think it gives you so much strength but it's beautiful and sensual at the same time. I think it's a lot like swimming in that you use every part of your body evenly, so you never bulk up in any particular area. Your arms and your legs are used just as much to climb up the pole, you get a great core workout, you don't get that manly butch look, just long streamlined muscles" said Felix.

Apparently there are no age restrictions to pole dancing - in fact Felix has taught a seventy three year old women and says she absolutely loved it!

"As long as you come with an open mind and you're willing to try stuff then anybody can do it" said Felix.

Listen to BBC reporter Nadine Simpson learning the art:

To find out more about pole dancing classes in Milton Keynes visit: