Dear Neil,
Everybody gets a different experience with this practice, it seems. I personally have not experienced what you describe.
In fact, I didn't feel much at all for several weeks. I enjoyed following along with the video because it was so relaxing and peaceful. I think what I did was OK, but I was trying very hard to follow the movements exactly. And while that is good, for learning the movements, it's good to really FEEL it, and not necessarily breathe in exactly when Master Lin does, etc. Once I went to a class, I saw that people had their eyes shut, and we weren't all moving together like some precision dance team or something! That's when I started to feel the energy.
I don't think there is an "normal" way to experience Qigong. You get what you need. And of course, if there is a lot of pain, just back off.
You said that "the healing powers are unreal." Would you like to share a story about that? I'd love to hear it.
With love,
Anita
