Sequencing: Is it best to teach pranayama and meditation at the beginning, middle or end of a class?

This all depends on your intention for the practice. Some teachers prefer to open class with a grounding meditation practice to set the tone for the class, while others feel it is important for students to move their bodies first before asking them to sit in quiet and stillness. The same goes for breath work, some teachers will open the class with a pranayama practice, while others will incorporate pranayama midway through the class or choose to teach pranayama at the end of class.

The key is to get clear with your intention or theme for your practice in order to design the sequencing of your class. For example, if you are teaching a Hatha practice on the Root Chakra, it may be important for you to set the tone of the practice by bringing your students into a grounding meditation straight away. However, if you are teaching a Vinyasa practice themed around energy and vitality, perhaps you begin the practice in Tadasana - Mountain pose and begin the class by guiding the students through asana and ending the practice in meditation.

Basically, you can thread these practices into your sequence based on when it feels appropriate in the overall design of your class. If you are unsure, actively practice the sequence and the placement of your pranayama and meditation, to see how it feels in your own body. Be aware that when planning your practicum, the evaluating teacher wants to see these elements taught separately and clearly and for them to make sense with the intention of your class. Just be mindful that you keep an eye on the timing of these elements. If you are opening your practice with meditation and pranayama, try not to leave your students sitting for too long, especially if you only have an hour with them, there is a lot to fit into the time to offer a full, well-rounded practice and include your 10 minutes in Savasana.