This is a neat topic!

first off for Nickspry: You stated:
""by deep breathing for a while and then having someone bearhug their chest.""

and your description of what you experienced afterwards... what you were doing in a very strange, and yes, Dangerous way, was raising your kundalini, and then experienced partial phases of 'the ramifications of raised kundalini: 'enlightenment'.  That is why kundalini (the practice of) can be very dangerous to both those who are not ready physically nor spiritually for the experience

I am an older guy now and do not in any way condone this practice but we also did basically the breathing thing as young teenagers. We added a couple steps which I will not get into that probably heightened the experience. You can actually die doing this
After a few times each we would all tell of the experiences. Believe me when I tell you NOT ANY GOOD AT ALL. 2 of my buds were never psychologically the same. Trust me this is dangerous and do not ever attempt it

Endless Dave
Thanks for your response. I will check out the band Maudlin. That is interesting as I am originally from the Boston area. My awakenings  have taken me to areas of my subconscious mind that are assisiting me in "understanding more and more every day". Heavy Metal was and mostly still is my music of choice. One of my excersizes is to pay extremely close attention to everything in my everyday life. all 5 senses including vibrations and intuition in my surroundings. As I listen to my music library there are a tremendous amount of AP refrences in the songs. What I am learning is Ive been being drawn to this (AP among many other phenomina) all my life. If your interested in understanding backgroung info on many energy/spiritual/universal phenomina I suggest the book "Our Ultimate Reality". Many observations/data in the book are assisting me in putting together questions Ive had for many years.
The more I see the more I learn. The more I learn the more I see.
Take care good luck
Vibra   

I know exactly what your talking about. I am no expert and "new to this" Heart pounding like Ive never felt before. The first time scared the crap out of me. Like someone was pushing a broomstick through my back on the inside of my chest. I also get the fluttering eye lids. So bad Ive have to concentrate to keep my eyes closed which obviousally ruins projection. The funny part is I actually began to enjoy the Heart chakra sensation. It took me a couple times though to get used to it.  I feel it is a sign that im getting closer to my ultimate goal. The serious pounding and eye movement has been replaced with a much much lesser version. Again Im hoping this is the natural progression in getting closer to my ultimate goal of getting out consciousally.
Good Luck

Yes I believe I am extremely close. I'm just missing a small piece of the puzzle. I believe the trick is to totally ignore all physical sensations completely. You want to disassociate yourself with your body 110%. The second you think of your physical body your done. The twitching eyelid thing has got me stumped because I have to concentrate on keeping my eyes closed AHGGGG!!!
From everything Ive read and I'm no expert or doctor so do with this info what you wish, is the heart sensation,that I feel is the energy Body duplicating itself for projection. It is one of the last steps before projection. I can actually feel the energy rising up my body from my toes going through each chakra before it reaches my heart center. For example Slight genital arousal, pressure in stomach area, heart activation, slight throat tightness, change in sight, pressure top of head. Takes probably 1 minute or so to rise from Toes to head. It is amazing and a very inviting feeling. This is very routine and consistent for me. 
Ignore it ALL!!  Theres more sensations than that, It is not easy at first. I'm learning to ignore them one sensation at a time. Ill give you a little history of me and why I'm here
I used to get real strong vibrations (allot once a month or so) since around 17 years old. Very violent and I would obviousally wake up at that point. Roughly 8 months ago they came 2 times in a month. After the first time I goggled it on line and researched it. No medical explanation, doctors don't know why, Everything pointed to OBE. The second time they came I told myself to relax see what  happens. Well then the heart started racing (you know the feeling) now I'm really freaked out. Went to the book store bought the Mastering Astral Projection in 90 days book. To make a long story shorter I realized I was doing energy work and energy bouncing since a child (7-8 years old) and did not realize it. Ive been induced the trance sensations all my life without realizing what I was doing. I am now 40 male, own my own professional business for many years. I guess Not what you would characterize as being into this.  Although That belief is quickly changing the more I learn.  So I thought I did not care for the Paranormal/supernatural/energy Karma that kind of stuff. I was wrong and wish Id paid attention to what my body and guides were trying to tell me all along.
As to making it out. Thats a question I'm trying to answer to myself. Looking back at my nightime "adventures" Yes I have. Flying "dreams", Lucid "dreams", reoccurring "dreams" with the same beings, "waking up" I know I'm lying down but sitting up trying to reach for the most beautiful Kaleidescope Ive ever seen with funny looking hands Etc Etc. Now I want to be 100% conscious while my adventures continue. I started out extremely strong making major progress in the beginning but the last month with new stresses in my life has caused me to go backwards. I'm dealing with them now.
 One of the most amazing sensations is my change in sight. If you haven't experienced it yet, you will its awesome. From the light show to solid colors usually light purple to pink to billions of stars. One night while practicing I saw my room ceiling through my closed eyes.

Ill tell you keep at it the more you learn to ignore the sensations the more they go away. No more vibrations for me just an internal warm buzzing. Heart center once violent (felt like someone pushing a stick through my back on the inside of my chest) has calmed to just a slight thumping.
If you havent allready read it I suggest Mastering Astral Projection in 90 days by Robert Bruce. I bough mine at a large book store chain in the Paranormal section. It answered a ton of questions for me.

If you dont mind me asking, What has brought you to this point of your life, How did you learn about this, have you read anything?

This has totally changed my life in so many positive ways and embrace the day when I will turn around and see myself sleeping!   

Good Luck

Rapid heart beat and fluttering eyelids happen to me all the time. Ive learned to ignore the heart but the eyelid thing really throws off my concentration. I know exactly what your talking about. Eyelids twitch so much my eyes practically open and it ends my attempt. The heart beat at first 10 times would  end my attwmpt but Ive learned to ignored and actually enjoy it. Then the eyelids start and I cant seem to get past the twitching eyelids
Good luck

I have never actually made it out consciously but what brought me to practice OBE is spontaneous vibrations without trying. Ive hadthem most of my life. I never knew what they were until I researched them. I am no expert and I'm not sure its the same for everyone but Believe me there will be no mistaking the vibrations once you get them. Ive made great progress and have brought on many other sensations associated with OBE lately. The vibrations for me have changed to an extremely lesser version of them. Full body low vibration buzzing, warm flowing energy. The wobbly feeling is a sensation I routinely induce while in trance. It is actually the beginning of my sessions. I turn the wobbly feeling into a spinning then a double spinning (Body one direction room to another direction). Within minutes, the exit sensations begin.  I would imagine everyone is different and there are many people who have much more experience than me. Just my 2 cents
Good Luck

Happens to me every time. I actually havent made it out conciousally yet. So so close but not full AP. The first time It happened was roughly 6 months ago scared the crap out of me. I researched it and it led me to begin AP. Now 4 months later I get the heart feeling every time I try to project. I finaly learned not to pay attention to it. Its tough but I believe thats the key. Disasociate yourself from body sensations. 2 nights ago was my first attempt to "not pay any attention to it". I induced full exit sensations twice first time Heart center was active at least 2-3 minutes 2nd time short. I hope this is progress because before they would last very short 30 seconds to 1 minute because I believe I would focus on them too much. I must say the feelings do seem to be lessening quite a bit. 
Good Luck

Focus on each Chakra individually using a stirring/tearing action. It is important to know where each one is. Imagine your hands reaching in and tearing them open.  Base/root, Solar plexus/gut, Heart,throat, third eye, Crown. You will feel different sensations in each area. Keep working them until you feel something happening in each targeted areas. Each Chakra has its own unique sensation and I'm sure they differ in each person. But believe me, you will know when they are being worked. After you have them all active begin flowing the energy throughout your body making sure you pass the energy through each Chakra, down legs/feet and arms/ hands. Then I do a technique I'm not sure is common (Ive never read of anyone doing this). My energy body loosened up and flowing I'm able to activate my entire energy body and have my whole body begin a complete buzzing sensation. This can get fairly intense depending on how relaxed I am. I do this for roughly 20 minutes 2 hours before projection attempt.
I hope this helps     

Have you tried trance methods IE: falling, spinning, double spinning, elevator, stairs. Double spinning usually works within 1 minute to induce the exit sensations. Body asleep mind awake. control your breathing. Once you begin deep breaths involuntarily you are now in the correct "sleep" state. Have your astral body spin left while your room spins right. It takes a little practice but once you learn the sensation its quite easy and extremely effective. 

I get that feeling al the time. I usually ignore it and it goes away fairly quickly. I agree sometimes it can get intense if you allow it to

You talk about your teacher? How lucky are you to have a teacher! Do you know if this is common to have teachers available?
I live in the Northeastern part of the US and would be very interested to locate a teacher in my area.  What part of the world/country do you live in.

This is my first post
Ive had the vibrations since a young boy.  I am now 40 years old. Roughly 4 months ago they came on unbelievably strong and my heart felt like it was coming out of my chest.  I decided to research the cause. This had led me to where I am today. I bought the Mastering Astral Projection book and practiced it throughout. I came to realize I was and have been performing full body energy work (flowing energy from head to toes arms legs and bouncing) all my life without knowing what I was doing. After reading and studying Ive been able to activate most of my main chakras (seem to have problems activating my Heart chakra). By that I mean I feel no sensations in my chest while I feel them everywhere else. I have a couple questions.


1)I can now easily enter the trance state after 20 minutes of energy work (anywhere from 20 -60 minutes for trance) and begin energy body loosening techniques. I vary them until I get the desired effect IE: double spinning falling etc . Then what I think are exit sensations begin. 
I involuntarily feel energy start in my toes move up my legs to the genitals. I get mild genital arousal then to my gut then my heart center begins pounding out of control. I then begin to see my vision inside my closed eyes change. Goes from light show to either bright light or millions of "stars" or total darkness. Directly after heart center activation I can feel pronounced floating feelings. Ive also felt unbelievable pressures on my head and feeling that my right side of my face and arms were being stretched to the next wall. By this time I am very excited and I think "too aware" of what is going on with my body. Ive tried several exit techniques rope,wheel, water skiing etc. No exit. 1 minute or so later I'm usually wide awake.

The whole body vibrations that I used to get have seemed to have gone away. I now feel a subtler inner whole body tingling. Lower frequency whole body if that makes sense. Is this normal? I'm concerned because everyone  talks about the vibrations?
Also what am I doing wrong? Am I too focused on the exit that I'm loosing concentration? Should I just practice, practice, practice?
Deeper trance?

This is something I really need to do! Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks for all your replies 
Vibra