Courtesy Photo Aimee Firor McBride, co-owner of Ananda Shala, meditates on Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick.

Aimee Firor McBride and Maria Garre, the owners of Ananda Shala, are giving free yoga classes in exchange for canned goods until Nov. 24.

"The entire reason we decided to open Ananda Shala was to bring people together," McBride said in a phone interview. "Community is so important to us and this helps the community."

The canned food will be donated to the Frederick Community Action Agency.

The two also saw the offer as an opportunity to entice people who might not take a class otherwise.

"It's tough times," McBride said. "So to not have to pay for a yoga class and bring a can of food can be a relief."

Giving back is a yoga principle, seva, and a focus for Ananda Shala instructors.

"What is our mission as a yogi?" Garre asked. "To take it outside the mat and give back. If you look at yoga as a whole, it is unification."

Garre sees two options for people.

"You can be active or inactive," Garre said. "And we choose to be active."

A wall in the studio features an image of Lakshmi, goddess of abundance, painted by local artist Felicia Monticelli.

"When people bring a can of food," said Lori Love, an instructor at Ananda Shala, "they are welcome to sign the wall of gratitude."

In the end, McBride and Garre keep to their priorities.

"There's nothing more important than Frederick County to us," McBride said. "Anything that we can do to give back is a priority."