Nevertheless, the old art of Russian folk dance is still thriving in the country where dancing is much more than simply having fun and where the spirit of dance seems to run in every Russian’s blood – from top politicians to the people in the street.

“It’s our soul! Russian dancing is something our very own, the essence of being Russian!” folk dancer Makar Vasilyev told RT.

For some young Russians, the age-old moves are far from being the same old dance. Polina Makartseva started folk dance class when she was five. She is now 11 and still loves it.

“At the beginning it was hard, I’d get very tired. But when you straighten up and do the moves well it becomes easier!” Polina said.

It is sometimes said the jumps and gyrations of traditional Russian dance are the result of the country’s cold weather and were invented with one purpose – to stay warm.

“Some moves are easy but some are quite complicated so you'd have to sweat! But these dances are all about emotions and the Russian people are very spirited, so it all comes naturally to them,” head of “Kudrinka” dance group Irina Salnikova told RT.

So watch out when in Russia – you may get the dancing bug too!