A 
parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus configurable to image a 
physical entity comprises:a main 
magnetic flux source for providing a uniform fixed 
magnetic field, B0;an RF array 
system comprising a plurality of RF coils and receivers, said 
RF system configured for:generating rotating 
RF excitation magnetic fields B1; andreceiving RF signals due to precessing nuclear 
magnetization on multiple spatially distinct 
radio frequency coils and associated 
receiver channels, said 
RF system being configured to operate in accordance with a B1 
sensitivity encoding technique;a control processor for controlling imaging functionality, collecting image data and effecting 
data processing of the captured image data the control processor being configured with post 
processing capability for the B1 
sensitivity encoding technique;an 
image display means for displaying processed image data as 
resultant images; andan auxiliary 
magnetic field means capable of producing at least one auxiliary uniform B0 step 
magnetic field imaging region within the main B0 magnetic field;wherein:the auxiliary magnetic field, means is configured to operate in combination with the RF coil 
system and the B1 
sensitivity encoding technique, the imaging apparatus thereby providing faster 
image acquisition than that attributed to the speed up factor provided solely by the B1 sensitivity encoding technique.The invention also includes a method of imaging using this apparatus.Furthermore, the invention also includes a method and apparatus for three-dimensional 
MR imaging using a 1D Multiple Acquisition Micro B0 array coupled with a 2D Multiple Acquisition Micro B0 array.