I started off paddling with a second hand paddle which was free. An old Carlisle wing blade, on a length and feather angle adjustable shaft. The lowest demarcated angle is 60 degrees (though one could eyeball lower, there's no notches as on Werner or Aquabound ferrules).
As such, I ended up with a fairly high angle stroke and really focusing on torso rotation. It didn't feel natural to start with, but it was the movement I could tell was most effective. Occasionally I'd string a few 'perfect' strokes together and it would feel almost effortless.
If I used too much arm and elbow I would feel it pretty quickly.
I tried out a Werner Shuna, and immediately realized that I had been missing out on a lot of opportunities to learn strokes other than forward and reverse. I ended up with a Cyprus, which is similar to the Shuna but a little bit nicer feel on entry and exit.
It's a great paddle. Initially 210 cm felt a bit short, but now I've gotten used to it and it feels great. Can't imagine wanting a longer paddle.
Low angle paddles are often marketed to beginners, but I really do question the validity of this. Especially when the trend seems to be for longer paddles than are perhaps ideal. Maybe low angle is more forgiving of poor form.
Many paddle companies claim that most paddles prefer a low angle paddle, especially when putting in a long day of paddling. I find this a bit odd, given that there's a less efficient transfer of energy with a wider (lower angle) stroke. So on a long paddle where the overwhelming majority of strokes will be forward, how would lower angle be an advantage? Again, maybe low angle is easier on the body, especially if form declines over a day of paddling.
All of this is to say paddles are subjective and I guess the best way to find the perfect paddle is to try as many as you can.