[Soadiassy]

Hmmm...... questioning your sensei's instructions on your first day.... interesting ;-)

It seems that rubber band analogy is common, but bear in mind when you are comparing how other people have been taught that your sensei may often tell you things so that you overcompensate and therefore correct something about your own footwork, he can see your footwork, we can't.
Often we won't understand something until we have done it repeatedly for a long time. It can be explained to us verbally, but you don't 'really get it' until you have it down.
I am assuming that you have chosen a good sensei, so you should follow what he tells you; as you progress, if you ask, you will find everyone has an opinion, and you may find that later at a seminar you are told to do something two different ways by different sensei (how often does that happen?). IMHO too much different information may be interference when you are starting out. Follow your sensei until you have the technical understanding to appreciate and compare styles.

This isn't a criticism of you asking a question, and I am sure you are following your sensei, just something to bear in mind.
Good luck, it's a long road
J