It is easy to focus on the inhalation and exhalation on the breath to the exclusion of the pauses in between.  This simple breathing technique can help you become more aware of the pauses between the breath, in particular at the end of the exhalation before you are ready to breathe in again.

Come in to a comfortable seated position with the backs of your hands resting on your thighs.  You are going to breathe in and out of the body from side to side, making a small hand movement when the exhalation is completed and another one just before you breathe in again.  No equivalent is made at the end of the inhalation.  Breathe comfortably and naturally throughout.

Breathe in, picturing the breath coming in through the left hand, up the left arm and into the left side of the body.  On the exhalation breathe out of the right side of the body, down the right arm and out of the right palm.  At the end of the exhalation, turn the right palm face down. 

When you are ready to breathe in again, first turn the right palm face up once and then breathe in, picturing the breath coming in through the right hand, up the right arm into the right side of the body.  On the exhalation breathe out of the left side of the body, down the left arm and out of the left palm.  At the end of the exhalation, turn the left palm face down.  When you are ready to breathe in again, first turn the left palm face up again.