breathing

[in'lakech]

Hi, I'm new, so bare with me if this is in the wrong place.
I don't know much yet, but I'm learning. I tried last night for the first time in a long time, just taking in deep breaths in the nose and out the mouth, slowly. It was pretty good for clearing my head of thoughts. I just was thinking "in nose, out mouth". After a little bit, my face started to get tingling sensation. Just starting with my lips than spreading over my whole face. Then I started to feel like vibrations in my face. The tingling spread to my upper chest and back of my neck. Than my tips of my fingers started to tingle, so I stopped. I'm not sure what this tingling sensation is or what the vibrations are. Is this some sort of energy?

[Logic]

It can be considered many things:

The feeling of your body falling asleep (entering a trance)
The sensation of energy / your energy body
Perceptions of an altered state of consciousness

Controlling your breathing is useful in many types of meditation and focusing, so you're on the right track.

[in'lakech]

The thing is I'm like clearing my mind. But if I was to concentrate on something. Like a technique, my breathing goes bad. I'll tend to hold my breath and eventually gasp for air. I guess I just have to keep practicing.

[Logic]

Technique in breathing? or in something else? Counting helps a lot, either counting the same intervals between breaths or up to a whatever number you feel like going to can help a lot in keeping you focused. Plus, its not to challanging to manage that and another train of thought at the same time.

[in'lakech]

I meant something else besides breathing. I kinda concentrate too hard on something other technique and completely stop breathing. I do it in real life. For some reason when I'm doing an impression of someone. And I do it really good, I won't even blink.

[Mattoid]

Ah, now this takes me back a few, yeah i know exactly what you mean, try saying out loud, ''My breathing will not be effected as i concentrate'' or if that doesn't work ''May i continue breathing whilst i concentrate?'' I know it sounds a little bit fluffy but it certainly worked for me.

Make sure you say it out loud, and announce it a few times in your mind!  

Keep me updated.