Thanks for your thoughts TJM.

I like your approach to forms. It seems common for both chinese and japanese arts to train in a limited number of basics and forms in class, then the breaking down of parts of the form is done in self-training at home, but sounds good you can do this in class.

Bugging your teacher to work on specific movements is good stuff (I do it after class), and I don't see other students doing this, especially over here. I think some of the time, students don't ask/question their teachers about movements in eastern cultures since it might appear impertinent. Maybe it's a case of newbies learning how to learn in the school so they can get the most out of it?