by yeniseri » Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:58 am
From a daoyin/yangshengong concept, the first time is familiarization or warmup i.e. the external outword template of form, habitual and concentrated movement expressed within the present 'workout, then the 2nd is for "inner level", helps with memory over time and creating that entrainment (familiarity of motion, its process, utility if any) awareness of gaps that one may have missed in the 1st iteration of "movement. The 3rd allows for all (1st and 2nd) to come together in owning the totality of what you just practiced. It is similar to most taijiquan instruction, where said routines are practiced at least 3 times.
I am sure you can use your google-fu in getting more answers!