example.py

>>> import yaml
>>> stream = file('general_skills.yaml', 'r')
>>> skills = yaml.load_all(stream)
>>> skills
<generator object load_all at 0x02B29698>
>>> for skill in skills:
	print skill


# So you end up with one dict per skill, which can be accessed using dict['key'] to get the values.
# The specializations, if applicable, return a python dict of multiple items as a value.
# I think this is the cleanest, simplest approach.
	
{'oh_cost': 4, 'stat': 'Body', 'name': 'Acrobatics', 'mm_cost': 2, 'hg_cost': 4, 'so_cost': 3, 'ma_cost': 5, 'mf_cost': 3, 'tr_cost': 3, 'cp_cost': 4, 'specializations': ['Balance', 'Flexibility', 'Jumps', 'Tumbling'], 'description': 'Roll well.'}
{'oh_cost': 1, 'stat': 'Soul', 'name': 'Animal Training', 'mm_cost': 1, 'hg_cost': 1, 'so_cost': 1, 'mf_cost': 1, 'tr_cost': 1, 'cp_cost': 1, 'ma_cost': 1, 'description': 'Train animals.'}
{'oh_cost': 1, 'stat': 'Mind', 'name': 'Architecture', 'mm_cost': 2, 'hg_cost': 1, 'so_cost': 1, 'ma_cost': 1, 'mf_cost': 2, 'tr_cost': 1, 'cp_cost': 2, 'specializations': ['Aquatic', 'Bridges', 'Small Buildings', 'Skyscrapers', 'Fortifications'], 'description': 'Build things.'}
>>> 

general_skills.yaml

---
name:            Acrobatics
stat:            Body
description:     Roll well.
cp_cost:         4
hg_cost:         4
ma_cost:         5
mf_cost:         3
mm_cost:         2
oh_cost:         4
so_cost:         3
tr_cost:         3
specializations:
    - Balance
    - Flexibility
    - Jumps
    - Tumbling
---
name:           Animal Training
stat:           Soul
description:    Train animals.
cp_cost:        1
hg_cost:        1
ma_cost:        1
mf_cost:        1
mm_cost:        1
oh_cost:        1
so_cost:        1
tr_cost:        1
---
name:           Architecture
stat:           Mind
description:    Build things.
cp_cost:        2
hg_cost:        1
ma_cost:        1
mf_cost:        2
mm_cost:        2
oh_cost:        1
so_cost:        1
tr_cost:        1
specializations:
    - Aquatic
    - Bridges
    - Small Buildings
    - Skyscrapers
    - Fortifications