Sometimes it is good to alter one's practice. As you begin a practice like SFQ, you make intellectual decisions about practice times, schedule, etc.. You can, without being aware of it, perhaps get locked in a level of experience, maybe good, maybe a bit too tense with it all. You sound like your second pass was more relaxed. Relaxation has alot to do with success in qigong work and experience. The hour session is preferred, but if it is rigid in 'any' way, physical or mental, the long session time may not be as productive as a shorter one in a higher level of letting go, or a more relaxed state. Perhaps, you were holding something in your first cycle of exercise experiences.
Another aspect to consider is patience. Sometimes, one has to work for a long time, to create a shift. This also brings trust into play. Trusting the process, and not watching the clock or calendar. Sometimes, big changes can take awhile.
It is, very valuable to get perspective on one's practice. Follow your daily feelings and needs, regarding your practice. Try not to force a schedule, but rather engage with it as naturally as possible, in terms of your cycles. It is a very different experience to do the exercise when one feels one has time to relax and do it, as opposed to the get up, grab some juice or coffee, hit the treadmill, read the paper, etc. A more forced time slot. Or, underlying thoughts stemming from your low energy, anxiety, depression.... A weight around your neck, you bring into exercise. It is a perfect, natural state of being to experience. Relaxing and yielding , opening up,....letting go of emotional stress with those slow three breaths, focusing on the lower or middle dan tien,,,relaxing those centers. Thoughts come from the heart. Relaxing the lower dan tien as you focus there, calms the heart, hence slowing the thoughts. You really want to remove yourself from your normal mode of experience, pretaining to negative emotions or mental states. It is a haven to retreat to and heal, with no issues. Try to really relax, and allow yourself this wonderful space to sit in, or stand in. Let the exercise and the master's energy do it's work. Trust the process and be patient.
love,
gallen
