Any tips for essence management for NG2?

I know about holding block, that essence don't absorb while i'm fighting etc. But important question for me is how to continue fighting opponents in order to kill at least 2 for essences for the ultimate technique without absorbation any? Because is i kill 1 enemy and start blocking - i just can't not absorb esssence because if i let go my block - it will immediatly absorbs, and also how to weave shurikens into all this so that the combo does not end, without losing all the ability to defend yourself.