I've been training for 1 year and 6 months...
The total time in our system to reach shodan is 3-4 years. Spending at least a year and a half between 3rd kyu and shodan. I don't quite understand how you can figure I'm testing fast, I've went from 9th kyu to 4th kyu in a year and a half, that seems very reasonable.
Don't get me wrong and don't take this personally, but it seems you're trying to discredit me...
As far as the Pinan/Heian kata differences, The Peaceful Way Katas (Pinan in Okinawan styles, Heian in Shotokan) are practically the same. In the Heian system, the shodan level and nidan level katas are REVERSED in order compared to Okinawan styles. If you saw me preform Heian Shodan you'd think I was performing Pinan Nidan and vice versa.
