Here is my understanding of how to land today's canopies. Convert your forward and down approach into forward speed. Several feet up feels worse and worse as you go smaller, whether you're a neophyte or a self-acclaimed expert. John compares good landing technique to getting off an escalator. The down escalator is like the ideal descending approach, level off and landing.
Escalators do offer a good canopy landing analogy.
Both modes of transport demand coordinated, mindful movements at journey's end. When it levels out, your feet are just below ground level by an inch or two. The forward speed is no problem, because you're at ground level. This is because your forward speed is still there, as it will be on any no-wind landing. This is why leveling off several feet up for neophytes is not a good idea.