Interesting article sent to me by a client. I've always considered one legged drills to be a waste of time and thinking of pedaling in circles the same. I think of the pedal stroke as a down motion. I do relax a little at the bottom. Its not a dramatic pull up at all, more of just a matter of not mashing my foot into the pedal. Feels smoother to me and puts less wear and tear on the bottom of my foot.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/the-idea-of-a-smooth-and-effecient-pedal-stroke-45868/