A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a method of acquiring a magnetic resonance image are provided. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquirer configured to acquire image data of a subject based on a protocol, the protocol including a learning protocol for learning a respiration of the subject and determining an initial protocol based on the learned respiration. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus further includes a respiratory information acquirer configured to detect the respiration of the subject, and a protocol controller configured to determine whether a respiratory cycle of the subject changes based on the detected respiration, and in response to the protocol controller determining that the respiratory cycle of the subject changes, reset the protocol based on the changed respiratory cycle.