Trimming Basil

I realized recently that my haphazard method of picking leaves off my basil plants just when I happened to need them wasn't encouraging future basil production. I was told by my urban garden leader to cut the top third of each stem off when the basil starts to go to seed, as is happening to this Thai Basil (bottom picture). Another method, which I personally think is more fun, is from my California gardening guru, Jaime, who advises pinching off leaves at the crook of the stem in areas where tiny new leaves are growing (top left picture). Both methods, particularly the latter, encourage bushier growth, rather than straight up, bolting to seed growth.