The Yamas:

The principles of respect for others include nonviolence, truth, honesty, moderation,and noncovetousness.

Which if these five principles do I find easy to follow, and which are more difficult?

I find that of these five principles, honesty now, the most easily followed. I’ll be honest, I’m blunt. However this would not have been the case all the time before. I am one of 3 siblings and the oldest, I was also a trouble maker. Fibbing to get out of trouble was as easy as making up a story and I’m pretty good at that. Being called out a few times though, led me to know its best to just fess up and take the punishment then the punishment I felt giving myself after lying or doing the bad action in the first place, which leads me to the principle I have the hardest time with nonviolence. Not only do I speak more bluntly now than before my temper has only diminished marginally. Though it is not as physical as it once was, me and my sister fought all the time I still struggle with other aspects of violence. I resort to shouting when I find a mess on the floor, a dish in the sink or just someone not doing what they said they would (mainly my boyfriend.) I have tried to monitor it and have gotten a lot better at apologizing but I need to work on not fuming at every little instance that annoys me.

Is it ever desirable to focus on just one of these principles to the exclusion of the others?

Yes and no, for me focusing on nonviolence when other principles take the back burner doesn’t mean one has to stop them entirely and in my case I think they will run efficiently even on that residual heat just cause I’m use to doing them. They should not be dropped all together but to really work on one, that you know is a major problem in your character, a bit more focus on it can only do well towards the endeavors of all of them. Especially since the one that I have trouble with is said to take the highest priority over the others in terms of which to follow first.

For me, are these principles a practice, mental vigilance, or progressive discovery?

All the above. I need to practice on staying more level headed, by metal vigilance or focus and by doing so I will discover there are other means to address the problems or better ways to confront them.

What factors influence my respect for these principles: society, geography, the times I live in, or specific circumstances?

                Finding balance and inner peace is what everyone strives for. Socially I am more open then I once was and this is partially because of embracing the differences between people, ideals and areas. If one can overlook the troubles of today using these principles and act and maintain the personal ideals of them, they in some ways do the same to the now and the circumstances of everyday life. “Be the ball” they say or “be the change you want to see in others.” Show the world and the people in it that if you follow these principles and more follow them, that only good things are sure to follow after.

Regardless of the particular form it takes, does the teaching of yoga always imply absolute respect of these principles?

                Towards oneself yes or so I have found so far. It is a workout to not only work these ideals with the body but also the mental and spiritual aspects as well. Applying it to others does take another step beyond the yoga practices but the teaching does make one reflect on how they themselves apply the principles to their life. The more you take from yogic teachings and exercises the more rewarding it is and that is quantifiable, therefore yoga deserves respect for its base guidelines.