Recently, my dance instructor said that the lead-follow dynamics for shadow position in American Waltz (silver/gold level)is mainly through contact of the sides.

On a Jim Maranto instructional tape, he and his partner demonstrate shadow position without side to side contact --only connection of the hands and man's hand on lady's hip.

Are there any professional instructors out there who could clarify for me which is correct?

I teach a ballroom group on campus where I am a philosophy professor, and I'd like to get this right before I teach it.

I would say it's a combination of everything. Just like closed position: there's connection through the arms, and sometimes through the body. It all works together. The Marantos may be demonstrating without body contact in the video so that it's easier to see what they're doing. I've been taught to use a light body contact in shadow.

Which step specifically are you looking at? That might add another factor.

American waltz: Shadow Telespin and Curved Shadow to Back Lock steps.

Lead and follow in shadow position reguires the co-operation of both man and lady.

The man places his right hand on the ladies right hip with his fingers slightly in front of her hip. This gives light pressure when leading a backward step. His right arm is gently placed behind and along her waist. This gives light pressure when leading a forward step.

The lady places her left hand lightly in the left hand of the man. The lady will have "tone" throughout her left arm and upper torso. Albeit relaxed with enough muscle tension to hold up the arms.

The man will have "tone" in his left arm, right arm and upper torso. This will give a feeling of "union" of two bodies. When the man moves the lady will move as well.

Hope this satisfactory for you!