Sravana Borkataky-Varma
Assistant Professor of Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Houston and co-author of The Serpent’s Tale, specializing in kundalini, tantra, and embodied religious practices.
Best podcasts with Sravana Borkataky-Varma
Ranked by the Snipd community
44 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 51min
Chasing the Serpent’s Tail with Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen
Sravana Borkataky-Varma, a scholar of Hindu tantra, and Anya Foxen, a historian of South Asian yogic traditions, dive into the fascinating history and complexities of Kundalini. They discuss its diverse definitions, from ancient Tantric practices to modern interpretations in yoga. The conversation highlights personal narratives of awakening, the interplay of energy and bodily experiences, and how these phenomena can lead to profound shifts in self-perception. They also explore the roles of teachers, lineages, and the intriguing overlaps with extraordinary states and possession.
6 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 5min
Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen, "The Serpent’s Tale: Kundalini, Yoga, and the History of an Experience" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Anya Foxen, Associate Professor of Religious Studies who studies modern yoga and kundalini transmission, and Sravana Borkataky-Varma, Assistant Professor of Comparative Cultural Studies focused on Shakta Tantra and embodied practice, trace global histories of Kuṇḍalinī. They discuss multiple visions of kundalini, textual and embodied transmission, Western influences, commodification and online risks, and the need for trustworthy relational containers.
