I've been diving a long time, but not as much as I'd like. Consequently, for years I didn't really care too much about techniques (just get in the water and thrash around) and became a sloppy diver but comfortable nevertheless.
That all changed about 2 years ago when I was approached to help out some friends that were interested in SCUBA diving. They looked to me as the "old-timer" and would then scrutinize my techniques (or gross lack thereof!)
Before, I would hold my 15' safety stop fine, but then would just swim up (slowly) from there vertical with me corrugated hose raised above my head. Now I do it horizontal (took a lot of practice). I also like to STOP about about 3' just for grins. It drove my newbie friends nuts at first because they were all on the surface wondering where I went. Then I can look around and simply go vertical to surface. I will say that doing this is not so easy in a BCD but relatively easy in a wing; huge difference.
and PRACTICE of those techniques!!