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I suppose this should be both my introduction and a question.

First off, I just started Kendo, just 1 week in and enjoying it very very much. I am trying to learn as much as I can and see myself being into this for a very long time. The dojo attitude, cool sensei, basic fundamentals, precision, and flexibility really appeal to me. I must admit, I have been researching the topic intensely for the past couple of weeks, and picking up as much as I can. I know what to watch for (through forums, articles, and sensei notes), common folley's for beginners, etc. I have experience in some martial art: tae kwon do, chun kuk do, judo, and boxing - from both tournament guys and practical fighting guys.

However I am having a hard time concentrating on a single aspect when it comes to the dojo. I try to practice what I can without causing bad habits - etiquette, seating, very basic movement, counting, suburi, etc. But there is so much to take in so quickly. How have you singled out important aspects of training to get down pact? In past learning experiences it has been brought to me on a very slow level - but now it seems to be streaming by me at 100 mph. I pick up as much as I can, and take notes after practice. I watch the advanced class to see how they handle the new aspects that I just learned. But I still cannot do well enough to satisfy myself, even in the slightest. The sensei's and sempai's are outstanding - always offering feedback, but I just can't make my body do it all at once and I am concerned about developing bad habits through premature practice. Last notes I took lasted 3 pages of stuff to watch for, but it doesn't seem enough.

What have you all done to help yourself progress? How have you singled out single aspects to focus on, without developing bad practices in other aspects? What outside influences have you used to supplement your own learning? What excercises fit a newcomer? Should I stop doing so much research and watching the advanced class until I have the basics down? Should I ask the sensei about this? Should I be happy with the progress I get during class and just take it as that?

What is a good method to teach yourself to keep a straight left foot after advancing forward? How do you transfer weight back to 50/50 so quickly after stepping forward or rearward? Are there any good examples on a well executed do strike, I find this one hard to watch for semantics in others - and hard to execute consistently. Sensei keeps mentioning a "Wringing" motion near/at the end of the strike, but I do not understand what he is talking about - can anyone explain it?

Most importantly am I better off practicing with what I know now than waiting for class? Do I cause myself more harm by re-inforcing what I believe to be correct through practice than doing nothing at all?

Well I suppose I have asked enough questions for now, I thank anyone who responds.

- Lesh