Order

[simsapa]

Are the satipatthanas meant to be practiced in a particular order (like a recipe, starting with the breath in the kaya section...), or can they be used out of order regularly or occasionally?

[JamesTheGiant]

They go in order of simple > complex. So in my experience it's first best to practise the contemplations in the order described.
But when you have grasped them and know how, you can jump in at any point and go straight to whatever one you want.

For me the contemplation of the three dhammas is the most useful, and has taken me to the most profound insights of my life. But they are also abstract, so I spend most of my time doing vedenanupassana.

[simsapa]

most of my time doing vedenanupassana.

I've found it hard to stay with the feelings just starting with this. The easiest seems to be starting with the breath. So this validates what you say, thanks.