gasping for air

[alohaair]

Every once in a while, I seem to forget to breathe. When my body notices a lack of O2 or a surfeit of CO2 ( I do not know which, suspect the CO2) I give a gasp. This happens once in a while during the day and maybe once or twice at night. During the day it is not a problem, but at night it wakes me up and I'd like to stop doing this. I am otherwise in good health.

[alohaair]

appreciate the thought, but I am not overweight and have had this going on for my life...first noticed it when I started meditating at 12 years. Sitting quietly and all of a sudden taking a gasp is startling. I realized I did it also when asleep too, but when young I went back to sleep easily now it is a little more of a problem.

[Jerry_NJ]

You could suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which can occur when awake but would most likely be when you are at rest, even falling asleep while seated.

You didn't mention you heigth/weight or age.  These are major factors in obstructive sleep apnea.  Overweight and senior age are conditions that contribute to OSA.