WORLD-renowned pole dancer Pantera Blacksmith swung into Cairns at the weekend to pass on her expertise to a group of keen fellow dancers.

The US-born dancer conducted a workshop at Pole Play Studios on Saturday afternoon, much to the delight of studio owner Sophia Warren.

"She is a legend in the pole dancing world, she really is," Ms Warren said.

"She has 10 years of really solid performing and instructing behind her and is one of the strongest teachers in
the world, really."

Ms Blacksmith began her career as an exotic dancer before honing her craft as a serious athletic and fitness pursuit.

Ms Warren said her work helped change people’s perception of pole dancing, expelling its seedy undertones and promoting the activity as a fun fitness alternative to do in Cairns.

"I think we are still getting out to the broader public that it doesn’t just have to be one girl being sexy on a pole, it can be incredibly athletic – and men do it as well," she said.

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