In 1966, Jose Andrade emigrated from Cuba to the United States seeking political and religious freedom.  

     He completed eight years of diverse university study in specialized and sub-specialized post-medical school training from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Wayne State University, Emory University, and the University of South Florida.  

            Dr. Andrade is a Recertified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and Recertified Diplomate in Pediatric Rheumatology (Sub-board American Board of Pediatrics). He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Conjoint Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. He has the unique distinction of being one of the few triple board certified physicians in the United States holding this rare combination of interrelated, yet distinct, specialty and subspecialty credentials by three different recognized and accrediting certifying Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).   

     He is also a practitioner of Acupuncture and the Clinical Research Principal Investigator for the Allergy, Asthma, Arthritis Center of Central Florida. Dr. Andrade is a practicing physician with offices in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida. 

     Andrade Sensei's avocation in martial arts dates back to his childhood in Cuba. He began studying Aikido in 1969. His further education in the martial arts of Wrestling, Judo, Arnis, Karate, Kung Fu, Kobujutsu, Jujitsu, Aikido, and others, reflects the instructional contributions of many well-known Japanese and non-Japanese teachers. He has come to realize that Aikido has the best elements of other martial arts. He subscribes to the ideal of the valuable study and practice of venerable Western and Asian traditions (specially the preservation of Japanese Budo) utilizing such inexhaustible fount of wisdom to illuminate the mind. He also integrates the Japanese Zen Way into his life. 

     Andrade Sensei is USA Regional Director, Renshi Rokudan (6th Dan) Aikido. His title and rank were granted directly form Kokusai Budoin ( IMAF) after testing before its panel composed of diverse Japanese Shihan (master level) instructors, including Aikido, at the Kokusai Budoin 50th Anniversary  Commemorative event held in Japan, on March 2002, where Andrade Sensei was permitted to give his own Aikido demonstration as part of the celebration for the 26th All-Japan Budo Exhibition held at Hibiya Park (city where the first All-Japan Budo Exhibition was held in 1952) in Tokyo, Japan. He has also participated as the primary Aikido Instructor, teaching along with other Japanese Budo Masters, for the 18th (June 2001 in Pennsylvania, 19th (August 2002 in Nevada), 20th (may 2003 in new Mexico) and 21th (May 2004 in Pennsylvania) National American IMAF Congress.

            While developing the psychological and spiritual dimensions of Aikido, as have many of the students of O’Sensei, Andrade Sensei has taken this art on his own distinctly different path. Other martial arts, studied to expand the scope of his training, have been integrated into his personal, creative expression of Aikido. Aikido Tenshinkai is a form of practice characterized by an arsenal of defenses that can include anything and everything. Over time, this personalized method of instruction has changed to remain appropriate to our culture and consistent with the realities of modern daily life. The result has been the union of the traditional and contemporary into a highly effective method of self-defense and a powerful art. 

     Andrade Sensei believes that through Aikido one can appreciate the similarities of many martial arts. Aikido is not about technique, but principle. Training in more than one style of martial art has broadened his understanding of the principles underlying all martial art. This is how he arrived at his current way of practice. Seeing only one side of the art can inhibit spontaneous expression and degrade the art. Andrade Sensei feels that each person does his or her own version of Aikido. This is how he expresses the spirit of his teachings and creativity while maintaining all the fundamental values and dignity of classical Aikido.  

     Andrade Sensei has also concluded that no single martial art is totally effective against all attacks, under all conditions. Any martial art, including Aikido, can give the student a false sense of security. No defense is impenetrable. 

            It is important to understand that Andrade Sensei’s evolution in the martial arts did not change O’Sensei’s ideals, principles, or philosophy of Aikido. Andrade Sensei believes in healing, not destruction; however, one cannot speak of peace from a position of weakness. It is not Andrade Sensei’s philosophy to promote fighting, since in his background there also exist moral and spiritual values deeply rooted in religion to improve the quality of life. 

In the spirit of Aikido, Andrade Sensei wishes to transfer to his students, his spirituality, psychology, philosophy, skills, knowledge, and experience. He hopes to spark in them the inner growth and development that will make them self-reliant and authentic masters of the powers of the mind. In passing the torch of teaching, he encourages new teachers to inject their own personal development, individuality, and creativity into their Aikido.

            To promote love and harmony, he always encourages a strong and friendly relationship among all Aikido groups, and with those of other martial arts. He believes there should be maximum freedom from autocratic organizational control. Each instructor must feel independent enough to teach his or her Aikido.

              Andrade Sensei is the founder and Director of Aikido Tenshinkai of Florida, Inc. Dojo, located in Orlando. In spite of his busy schedule as a physician, he teaches traditional Aikido only, based on the Founder’s principles, seven days a week, to adults and children. Aikido Tenshinkai is an outgrowth of his life experience, including his knowledge, skills, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality.