Leave the leaves on at all costs.
If you are intent on pruning, prune enitre low BRANCHES to concentrate bud-building energy at the top of the plant and improve airflow.
IF you feel that your plant is not getting enough light to the whole thing, consider BENDING it over a bit or adding more light.
And remember... mutilating your plants stresses them... you know what stress leads to... HERMS!!! Don't even risk it.