The presence was more than likely your own expanded energy body feedback, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
There are two or three possible reasons for the 'heaviness' of your experience- one may be that you are not lucid enough in that you just woke up and are more asleep than awake- I would recommend the 'trying before it's time to get up', but to actually get up first, walk and then go back to bed and then do your attempt. You will go right into trance, and will be more aware.
Another possibility is that you need to do (more) energy work, that you need to develop your etheric body a little bit more, to help with navigation issues.

Well done, Natalie.