Protecting the crown jewels in pilates classes | Brief letters

<p>Pilates and the male psyche | Targeted for tax | Hot designs | Carving up the US</p><p>As the (frequently) sole male in pilates classes, I wonder if the reason “pilates and the male psyche don’t seem to connect” (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/19/why-men-should-be-doing-a-lot-more-pilates">Letters, 19 October</a>) is that the language is directed towards women and their anatomy. On more than one occasion, when I have clearly been confused as to what bit of myself I am meant to be concentrating on, female instructors have whispered “crown jewels” in my ear.<br><strong>Tom Stubbs</strong><br><em>Surbiton, Surrey</em></p><p>• After my sigh of relief that perhaps sanity had finally prevailed (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/16/rachel-reeves-says-those-broadest-shoulders-should-pay-fair-share-tax">Rachel Reeves says those with broadest shoulders should pay fair share of tax, 16 October</a>), normal service resumed with the suggestion that the chancellor is targeting a scheme providing cars for disabled people (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/17/chancellor-says-she-cant-leave-welfare-untouched-this-parliament-ahead-of-tough-budget">Chancellor says she ‘can’t leave welfare untouched’ this parliament as budget looms, 17 October</a>).<br><strong>Sandra Norburn</strong><br><em>Doncaster</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/20/protecting-the-crown-jewels-in-pilates-classes">Continue reading...</a>