Colourful and emotional, Russian folk dancing traditions go deep into history - yet remain a well-kept secret for many foreigners. In order to crack the puzzle, we have taken a dance class in a folk studio.

The Russian clapper, the fidget, the squatting dance, the cord, the merry-go-round... Dancing Russian-style seems to leave even some Russians puzzled.

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!" told folk dancer Makar Vasilyev.

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 countrys 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," told head of "Kudrinka" dance group Irina Salnikova.

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