Bayou (ballet)

A bayou in ballet, derived from the American English word describing a slow-moving, often marshy body of water, is a specific quality or characteristic evoked in movement. It doesn't refer to a codified step or position. Instead, it suggests a fluid, languid, and slightly melancholic or mysterious atmosphere. Choreographers and teachers may use the term "bayou" to describe a desired quality of movement that is smooth, sustained, and possesses a flowing, almost liquid texture.

The term implies a softness in the transitions between steps and poses, emphasizing the continuity and unbroken line of the dance. It encourages dancers to avoid abrupt movements or sharp angles, and instead, to create a feeling of gentle, yielding surrender to the music and the flow of the choreography. A dancer embodying the quality of "bayou" would project a sense of calm and serenity, while simultaneously suggesting a hidden depth or undercurrent of emotion. The movement quality is often associated with romantic or lyrical pieces, and particularly those that evoke themes of nature or longing.