Stretch-tember

Why should I join Stretch-tember 2024?

Watch the video below to find out more from Richard, Senior Fundraising Officer at NASS, and Jamie Boder at Yoga for AS, to find out.

You can sign up any time during September for Stretch-tember. Just remember your exclusive access to Yoga for AS will end on 1 October.

What’s in it for me?

Stretch-tember is a great chance to learn how to stretch more for your axial SpA in classes and tutorials made for people with axial SpA, by people with axial SpA.

Jamie and Geoff at Yoga for AS both live with axial SpA, have worked with hundreds of people with AS, and are highly experienced yoga teachers. Their priority is to make the classes as accessible, safe and inclusive as possible to everyone.

When you sign up with Yoga for AS for Stretch-tember, between 1 September – 1 October, you’ll receive free access to:

• 12 pre-recorded stretching tutorials – whether you want something very gentle or more intense, there’s something for all levels.
• Up to 5 live classes – whether you’re experiencing fatigue or haven’t done much stretching before, a live class is a chance to meet others via Zoom going through the similar experience as you with their AS.
• Access to an online community of thousands of people, of all levels, abilities and experiences, stretching and moving more for their axial SpA.

Plus! 75% off Yoga for AS membership for 1 month if you sign up after Stretch-tember anytime between 1 October – 31 October. Just use the promo code STRETCHTEMBER2024

Which pre-recorded tutorials and live classes will suit me the most?

What pre-recorded tutorials are you offering?

Whether you want something very gentle or more intense, there’s something for all levels. 12 pre-recorded videos cover 4 levels of intensities to do anytime, anywhere, whatever you’re feeling:

• Very gentle
• Gentle
• Moderate
• Intense

What live classes can I join?

• Want to work on your strength & conditioning? Join the Monday class.
• Struggling with fatigue? The Tuesday class is perfect for you.
• New to stretching and yoga? We’d recommend the beginner class on a Wednesday.
• Want to take your yoga and stretching to the next level? Join the Intermediate class on a Thursday.

So, as you can see, there’s something for everyone. Even if you join just one live class in September, we almost guarantee you won’t regret it. You’ll unlock new ways to move for your AS, and meet others living with axial SpA – all from the comfort of your own home.

How can I give back to NASS?

By signing up to fundraise for NASS during Stretch-tember, every penny you raise will help improve the lives of people with axial SpA.

Plus! If you raise (or donate) just £20, we’ll send you a NASS t-shirt or running vest for you to stretch in to say thank you.

Last year, over 150 people signed up with Yoga for AS for Stretch-tember. If every person had raised just £20 each, they would have raised £3,000 – enough to provide information and support to 300 people affected by axial SpA from the NASS Helpline. So that’s our aim – to raise £3,000!

When you sign up for Stretch-tember, sign up to fundraise for NASSand help raise £3,000! We’ll help you every step of the way.

The impact of your support

• £10 can enable our Helpline team to respond to a call or email and provide guidance and advice to anyone affected by axial SpA.
• £25 could help provide a pack of NASS guidebooks for a local axial SpA clinic.
• £50 could help our team provide 1:1 welfare and benefits support for someone living with axial SpA.
• £100 could help by contributing towards the cost of one of our weekly My AS My Life sessions to help people living with axial SpA manage their symptoms between hospital appointments.
• £250 could help us run an online session to help up to 20 people learn how to manage symptoms of axial SpA, such as extreme pain, severe exhaustion and poor sleep.

We urgently need your support

Your support for NASS and people with axial SpA is more critical than ever:

• As the NHS recovers from the pandemic, 67% of people with axial SpA are being left to cope with debilitating pain, exhaustion and fatigue alone.
• The current economic climate has meant that we have seen a reduction in fundraising income.
• With a cost-of-living crisis, more people than ever need support to claim life-changing disability benefits they are entitled to.

Axial SpA works silently. We don’t.

Axial SpA is an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints.  Inflammation where muscles attach to the bones, causes extreme pain. It’s an invisible and often misdiagnosed condition. Often leaving people feeling powerless, in increasing pain and extreme exhaustion. If left untreated, it can permanently fuse bones together.

NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people with axial SpA. NASS doesn’t receive any statutory funding. We rely on your kindness and generosity, and other people like you, to help us transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with axial SpA and help more people live well with the condition sooner.