merican Vadha Kempo Karate is a "hybrid" system deriving from the traditional or "mother" art of Vadha. Vadha finds its origins in the ancient himalayas (present day Tibet), over 3,000 years ago. According to one theory of the origin of the martial arts, a form of this ancient style known a Vajramusti was the predecessor to a majority of the martial arts practiced today. Vadha is a system that uses circular principles to redirect an opponents attack. These circular techniques, sometimes called "arcs", allow a student to yield to an opponent's force, ultimately causing that opponent to become unbalanced and vulnerable to multiple counters.

The founder of American Vadha Kempo, Professor and Grand Master John Salvaggio, revolutionized traditional Vadha much in the same way Bruce Lee did Wing Chun or Ed Parker did Chinese Kempo. Professor Salvaggio holds Black Belt rank in Ju Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do; he also has substantial experience in various forms of Kung Fu, Shotokan, Judo, Aikido, Go Ju, Tai Chi and a form of Navy Seal training known as Bukito. Advancing Vadha in many ways, Professor Salvaggio incorporated the term "Kempo" (a term which refers to the blend of hard and soft techniques) into the name of his art to signify the distinction from the traditional form. In blending the most effective aspects of these great art forms, American Vadha Kempo was born.

There are currently only six (6) Masters (those that have reached 5th degree Black Belt or higher in American Vadha Kempo) in the entire system. Traditionally, American Vadha Kempo was and still is, to a large degree, an underground system. Training was generally held in close knit groups out of the public eye. Master Frank V. Barone Jr. founded the first commercial establishment wholly open to the public in 1994 in Staten Island. He has since begun four (4) successful schools and currently teaches at his latest location at 7001 Amboy Road, Staten Island, New York 10307. Master Barone has developed a strong following, strictly adhering to the principles set forth by Professor Salvaggio, as well as teaching his own interpretations and enhancements that he has developed over the course of seventeen (17) years.