I began training with Stephen Hayes in '94, while he still operated from "the barn". Since he had written all the books, (and had been inducted into the MA Hall of Fame) he had to be the best, right?
It took me a long while to let go of some of the things I had learned badly while in Steve's dojo (only 6 months). I estimate a year and a half, but it may have taken me longer. It would have been easier not to have been training at all, than to learn the wrong thing, then work to clear it out.
I currently train with John Orth in Lawrenceville. If I ever become anything close to the teacher and artist he is now, I will count myself happy.